Houston firefighters rescued about 20 residents from apartments that caught ablaze near Interstate 610 and Buffalo Speedway, west of Houston Stadium, on Tuesday morning, according to the fire department.
A fire on South Bartell Drive drew crews to the scene shortly after 6 a.m., and firefighters found smoke and flames on the third floor of an apartment building, authorities said. The blaze spread down a hallway and into an attic, sending residents onto their balconies for safety, according to the fire department.
Firefighters reportedly rescued the roughly 20 residents from their balconies and apartments. One civilian was “transported for observation,” and one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion, authorities said.
The fire department’s arson office was questioning a resident at the scene, according to fire officials. HFD Senior Captain Raul D. Reyes declined to share additional details about that investigation.
The incident eventually became a two-alarm fire and has since been extinguished, Reyes said. The blaze affected 16 units, and the American Red Cross was set to help residents with housing and recovery.
This post may be updated.
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This article originally published at Firefighters rescue 20 residents from southwest Houston apartment fires, officials say.