FF Burned as Fire Consumes, Collapses TX Office Building

Nov. 22—An under-construction commercial building in The Woodlands caught fire on Monday night and then collapsed, according to The Woodlands Fire Department.

The fire was at a multi-story building in the 25000 block of Interstate 45 near Raypine, officials said. The fire started at about 7:45 p.m.

Firefighters from The Woodlands, Spring, the South Montgomery County Emergency Services District and the Montgomery County Hospital District responded to the blaze.

South Montgomery County ESD Battalion Chief Nathan Huffman on Monday night said the building was in the early stages of construction, and the lightweight material that was already erected burned fast.

The building was fully engulfed when the first firefighters arrived, Huffman said. The flames were too intense for firefighters to enter the building and they remained outside as the structure burned and ultimately collapsed, he said.

"The building is a total loss," Huffman said. "It's a rubble fire now. This was a very, very fast fire."

Because firefighters weren't able to enter the building, it's unknown if anyone was in the building as it burned, Huffman said. Crews planned to search the rubble once the fire was completely put out, he said. There have been no reported victims, he said.

One firefighter was taken to a local hospital to be treated for thermal burns, Huffman said. Firefighters also breached a neighboring building because they feared the fire had spread, but ultimately found out the second building hadn't caught fire.

Investigators are working to determine what caused the fire, Huffman said.

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