Houston Fire Department Chief Samuel Peña confirmed the fatality, adding that arson investigators and police were looking into the incident.
At about 10 a.m., the city of Houston Office of Emergency Management said the freeway's northbound service road from West Sam Houston Parkway to Bissonnet Street was closed. The road has since been cleared and reopened.
SkyEye flew over the active scene, where white smoke could be seen rising from the building as firefighters poured water into the fire.
It's unclear what caused led to the fire but an investigation is underway.