Three-alarm fire erupts at strip center in north Harris County

HOUSTON -- Firefighters battled a three-alarm fire Wednesday night at a busy strip center in north Harris County.

According to the Ponderosa Fire Department, the fire started at the "Dollar & More" store in the North Junction Plaza off FM 1960 near the North Freeway. It was already closed for the night but the nail salon next door was still open.

"It was all smoke. We couldn't hardly breathe," said Kimberley Kelton who was getting a pedicure at the salon. She and her daughter quickly got out.

Firefighters say the fire started in the rear stockroom of the dollar store and getting to its origin was difficult because the stockroom was sectioned off.

"The building was locked up in various area and it was in the back of the building so that creates some time deficits to overcome," explained Chief Fred Windisch with the Ponderosa Fire Department.

Smoke spread to at least 3 neighboring business. The cause is under investigation. No one was hurt.

About 75 firefighters from the following departments responded:

Ponderosa FD

Spring FD

Aldine FD

Little York FD

Klein FD

Northeast FD

Champions FD