Commercial Building Fire in The Greater Uptown Area

WHAT: Commercial building fire.

WHEN: December 5, 2023, at 9:10 p.m.

WHERE: 7676 Woodway Dr. 77063.

INJURIES: No reported injuries.

PROPERTY SAVED: $5,970,000 in estimated property saved.

DAMAGE: $30,000 in estimated damage.

CAUSE: HFD Arson investigators ruled the cause as accidental (extension cord covered by potted plant/ plastic container).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Firefighters arrived on scene in response to an automatic alarm to find smoke coming from the first floor of a 3-story commercial building. The response was upgraded and upon entering through the main entrance, the crews encountered heavy smoke. A small fire involving Christmas decorations was extinguished and a primary search was completed. The search was all clear and, although smoke was found on the second and third floors, the fire was contained to the first floor. Fans were used to ventilate the smoke and HFD Arson investigators were requested to determine the cause of the fire. 34 personnel responded to this incident, including firefighters from Stations 2, 5, 28, 51, 60, 69, 57 and the Village Fire Department.