Families displaced following massive four-alarm fire in NW Houston
HOUSTON -- A four-alarm fire destroyed an apartment complex in northwest Houston Tuesday. At least three firefighters were injured while battling the blaze.
The fire broke out after 6pm at the Gentry House Apartments at 9001 Kempwood and was declared tapped out at around 7:30pm. HFD officials say there was significant damage to the complex.
PHOTOS: 4-alarm fire in NW Houston
The three firefighters were transported to hospital for heat exhaustion. At least one of them also suffered a sprained ankle. All residents reportedly made it out safely.
Several streets around the complex were blocked off as around 120 firefighters worked to get the fire under control.
Between 60 and 80 families were displaced by the fire.
Jen Gumila could do nothing but watch as firefighters poured water on her burned-out apartment.
"I'm praying for it because we don't have anything, just ourselves and our clothes," said the mother of three. "We don't have anything." .
She wasn't sure where they were going to stay.
The American Red Cross scrambled to open a shelter at nearby Edgewood Elementary School. A small room at the school quickly filled with donations from the community. In fact, the Red Cross has stopped accepting donations for now because it's received an overwhelming amount of clothes and items for victims of the fire.
The church next door has stepped in to help, but it is now certain how much it can handle donations wise. The Red Cross reminds people they can also simply donate cash.
