Just before 10 a.m. on September 24th, the Houston Fire Department received the call for a building fire near the intersection of Harwin and Gessner, at Centerpoint Energy Electrical Substation. District 10 and District 69 were the first chiefs on scene and after sizing up that they had a liquid fuel fire which threatened to spread across a major street, the call was placed for a second alarm. Haz-Mat, EMS and Rehab units were also dispatched to the scene.
The smoke and flames could be seen for miles. The temperatures reached high enough to damage an overhead power line tower which caused concern for the safety of the firefighters. Representatives for the power company were called to the scene and dual supply lines were laid into Tower 69's aerial for higher water flows and extended reach.
The incident was determined to involve a mineral oil container which held in excess of 10,000 gallons. It was ruled to be under control just before 1 p.m. Crews remained on the scene, standing by for clean up and overhaul.
