HOUSTON – Three Houston Fire Department firefighters were hospitalized after getting injured while working to put out a fire in an abandoned restaurant in east downtown Houston on Saturday, HFD said.
Firefighters were dispatched to the restaurant on Canal Street and Navigation Boulevard at about 6 a.m. due to the blaze.
When firefighters made it to the location, they saw heavy flames. Additional crews were then called to help put it out.
While they were fighting the fire, the roof caved in and trapped three firefighters.
They were all able to get out and were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. They are expected to be OK, but the building has been destroyed.
“Part of the challenge is you still have the fire to fight, and you have the rescue to take care of. The incident commander had to split his time and get people in place to get the injured firefighters out and still contain the fire,” HFD Deputy Chief Roger Westhoff said.
Officials said the building is frequented by homeless people, and they continue to investigate what led up to this blaze.
Grateful 2 of our @HoustonFire FF’s released from hospital & returned to the station. A 3rd in good condition & awaiting further eval. Thank You @memorialhermann for taking great care of our personnel
— Chief Samuel Peña (@FireChiefofHFD) March 2, 2024
Awaiting report on cause of the fire. No further info available at this time https://t.co/dsn4BT1wxh
Saturday afternoon, HFD Chief Samuel Peña said two of the three firefighters have been released from the hospital and the third is in good condition and is awaiting further evaluation.