Bridge City Fire & Rescue was dispatched at 3:30pm on 03/14/07 to a report of a structure fire at the apartment complex on Tenney Street. The first fire unit arrived in less than five minutes after the alarm was sounded. The initial size up of the scene described a three story apartment building with heavy fire showing through the roof, eves, and windows.
Initial attack hose lines were established to protect the adjacent three story apartment building that was approximately 20 feet away. Fire was impinging on the adjacent structure as firefighters deployed the hose lines. Once the adjacent structure was protected, firefighters turned their efforts to extinguishing the burning structure. A call for assistance from area fire departments was transmitted.
The following fire departments responded: Orange, Pinehurst, West Orange, EDS-1 (Vidor), ESD-4 (McLewis/Mauriceville), ESD-3 (Little Cypress). Approximately 30 firefighters and 10 fire trucks responded to the fire. There were no reported injuries to the apartments residents or emergency responders. The apartment building involved was occupied at the time of the fire and was completely destroyed. Many residents were displaced as a result of this fire.
The apartment building next to the burning structure received minor damage to the exterior because of the intense radiant heat. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
