HOUSTON, Texas – A woman is recovering in the hospital on Monday morning after firefighters pulled her from a burning apartment building in northeast Houston.
The fire happened around midnight on Legion Street near the Eastex Freeway.
Investigators say a Houston Fire Department District 19 chief was returning from another fire when he spotted smoke and flames coming from the apartment complex.
When crews arrived, they found four units on fire.
Firefighters rushed inside and rescued a woman from one of the burning apartments. She suffered smoke inhalation and was transported to the hospital. Her condition has not been released.
The woman’s dog was also rescued and treated with oxygen at the scene. Fire officials say the dog is expected to be OK.
Crews initially searched for another woman who lives at the complex and was believed to be unaccounted for. However, firefighters later learned she was at a friend’s house at the time of the fire.
Officials say one of the apartment units collapsed during the blaze. No firefighters were injured.
While crews were still on scene, tensions flared outside the complex. KPRC 2 cameras captured two men fighting, and one accused the other of starting the fire. Fire investigators have not confirmed that claim.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.