TOMBALL, Texas --
More than a dozen people lost their homes and belongings early Tuesday when a three-alarm fire broke out at a Tomball apartment complex, KPRC Local 2 reported.
Several agencies helped the Tomball Fire Department battle the blaze that broke out at the Cobble Creek Apartments on Lawrence Street near Graham Drive at about 1:20 a.m.
About three dozen people living in five buildings neighboring the burning building were evacuated because firefighters feared strong winds would cause the flames to spread.
"It was a lot worse because of the wind," Chief Randy Parr said. "When the fire opened up on the north side of the building the wind blew it through to the south side of the building and made it spread a lot quicker."
Evacuees like Becky Coll said the fire forced her and her son out into the cold.
"We had to sit in the car to just stay warm," she said.
Many of the evacuees went across the street to Tomball Regional Hospital to watch the firefighters knock down the flames.
"They (the flames) were towering above the rooftop and everything," evacuee Bobby Reed said.
Fire officials said about 13 people lived in the 16-unit building that caught fire. Crews said the building was not structurally sound and would have to be torn down.
One other building sustained some water damage.
Tomball police said the American Red Cross has been helping residents with necessities, including food and assistance finding a place to stay. They set up a shelter at Christbridge Fellowship Church in the 29500 block of Tomball Parkway.
No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
