So far, there are no reports of any injuries. The cause of the fire is unknown.
HOUSTON — Fire tore through an apartment complex in west Houston Sunday night, damaging multiple units and prompting a multi-agency response.
Fire broke out just before 9 p.m. at the Windchase Apartment complex near the intersection of Richmond and Eldridge Parkway.
Captain Samantha Smith with the Community Fire Department said the first call came in at 8:43 p.m. about smoke and fire. When the first crews arrived, they saw a large column of smoke and heavy flames coming from one of the apartment buildings.
“We have multiple units on scene, mutual aid from multiple different companies out here assisting,” Smith said during a briefing at the scene. “This is an active scene. We’re asking everybody to stay out of the area.”
The fire had not been brought under control as of Sunday night. Officials were working at least a second-alarm response, with additional help from Houston Fire Department, Harris County ESD 48, and Westlake Fire Department.
Captain Smith said there were no confirmed injuries among residents, though crews were providing treatment to several cats brought out of the complex with smoke inhalation.
At least one of the apartment buildings, described as having eight connected units — four on each side — sustained damage. Officials could not yet confirm the full extent of the fire’s spread, but one side of a building had been shut down due to a risk of collapse.
“We have multiple apartments that are affected and obviously multiple residents that are now out of their apartments,” Smith said.
Fire marshals were expected to begin an investigation into the cause once the fire is fully contained.
The fire remains under active investigation. Authorities are urging residents to avoid the area for safety and to allow emergency crews to continue their work.