WHAT: Apartment fire.
WHEN: April 13, 2024, at 1:46 p.m.
WHERE: 11810 Chimney Rock Rd. 77035.
INJURIES: One firefighter was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
PROPERTY SAVED: Not available.
DAMAGE: $500,000 in estimated damage.
CAUSE: Under investigation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Firefighters arrived on scene to find heavy smoke coming from an abandoned 2-story apartment building and made an offensive attack. They advanced a line to stop the fire from spreading into the attic and while on the second floor, a firefighter fell through the floor. The crews quickly removed him to be evaluated by HFD EMS. He was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. A primary search was completed, and the building was ventilated.
As fire conditions intensified, firefighters changed to a defensive attack and withdrew from the building until it was determined to be safe enough to re-enter. Although the building appeared to have no power, a gas line inside the structure was burning and CenterPoint was requested. Rehab was requested for crews to rotate. A collapse zone was established and secured using caution tape and the fire was extinguished. HFD Arson investigators were requested to determine the cause and origin of the fire. 73 personnel responded to this incident, including firefighters from Stations 48, 82, 15, 21, 59, 28, 37, 51, 80, 11, 82, 24, 33, and Rehab 17.