Fire forces motel evacuation in northeast Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A fire has forced the evacuation of a motel in northeast Houston around 5am on Saturday morning.

Heavy smoke went through at least 14 units at the Sahara Motel on Kelley Street and Kashmere, not far from the Eastex Freeway.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire quickly.

Most of the fire damage is isolated to four units.

Arson investigators are scene investigating a cause.

The unit that caught fire was vacant.

The unit above was also damaged and that's where Donald Allen lives.

Allen just returned home from work.

"I looked down this way and saw the fire department and I said 'Lord have Mercy' I hope it's not my apartment and I turned the corner and there it was," said Donald Allen.

Allen lives at the motel. Unfortunately, this isn't a new situation for Allen. His previous apartment in Sunnyside was also damaged by smoke in a different fire.

He moved to the Sahara Motel after his previous apartment caught fire.

He said he was trying to get back on his feet.

No one was hurt.

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