TX Firefighter Injured in Massive 3-Alarm Construction Blaze
A massive three-alarm blaze erupted at a Texas apartment complex under construction Wednesday, destroying two four-story buildings and injuring at least one firefighter.
The fire broke out shortly after 6:30 a.m. at the 400-unit apartment complex that was being built for the past six or seven months in west Harris County near Katy, KHOU-TV reports. Although at least six people are usually at the site by the time the fire started, only one person was on the property Wednesday and that individual was able to safely escape.
Crews from Harris County, Katy, Houston, Cy-Fair and several other departments responded to the fire. The complex's sprinkler system hadn't been turned on yet, and firefighters drained the site's water system early into the call.
“The guys that could get close to the fire were driven back by raging heat, so they couldn't get hose lines on the fire," a Harris County fire spokesman told KHOU.
The water issues prevented firefighters from stopping the fire spreading to and destroying the complex's second building. Flames also damaged a nearby field and garages, as well as causing several propane tanks to explode.
One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion while battling the flames and was taken to the hospital, KPRC-TV reports. Details concerning the firefighter's department affiliation were not released.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.