HOUSTON – A long-time resident of a northwest Houston apartment complex died in a fire Christmas morning after she was trapped in one of the units. A man was also injured.
Officials with the Houston Fire Department said firefighters responded to the fire in the 900 block of Lehman Street near Brinkman shortly after 9 a.m.
Firefighters rescued a woman who was reportedly trapped in one of the units. She was transported to an area hospital where officials said the woman later died.
“That’s very tragic, very sad on Christmas Day,” said Tony Cirlos, a neighbor who knew the victim. “We’ll always remember her. She’s got a story for everybody around here.”
Cirlos said she was nice and well-known and that many in the complex helped her with bills and rides. Another neighbor said the victim had lived in the complex for years.
An older adult man was also taken to an area hospital with smoke inhalation, officials said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. It is unknown how many units were destroyed at this time.
@HoustonFire is on scene at 910 Lehman performing extinguishment efforts after receiving reports of an apartment on fire. #HFD was able to successfully rescue one civilian, they are currently en route to a nearby hospital. No FF injuries have been reported. Please avoid the area.
— Houston Fire Dept (@HoustonFire) December 25, 2022