Firefighters Tackle Motel Blaze in Houston
July 02--Firefighters battled a massive blaze early Tuesday morning as flames engulfed a motel under construction in northwest Harris County.
The blaze broke out about 3 a.m. at the unfinished building along Hempstead Highway near FM 1960, officials said.
No injuries were reported.
The flames forced officials to evacuate an occupied motel next door to the burning building. Firefighters protected that motel from damage.
The massive blaze sent heavy smoke into the predawn sky. Embers sparked grass fires in nearby empty fields that were doused quickly.
By about 6 p.m. the firefighters were still at the scene pouring water on the charred, smoldering rubble.
Investigators were trying to determine how the fire was ignited.
Portions of FM 1960 near the fire were temporarily shutdown while crews battled the blaze.
Copyright 2013 - Houston Chronicle