1 man found dead and another man rescued in apartment fire in Sharpstown, HFD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A man died in an apartment fire in southwest Houston on Tuesday night, according to fire officials.

Houston firefighters were alerted to heavy smoke in the 6500 block of Dunlap Street, off Hillcroft Avenue in the Sharpstown area, around 9 p.m.

When they arrived at the scene, firefighters could see a man trapped on a third-floor balcony, trying to get away from the flames.

To get the man to safety, firefighters used a ladder truck to get up to the apartment complex's third floor. Officials were able to get him to safety, and the man was taken to the hospital for treatment.

As that rescue was going on, another HFD team entered the apartment through the front of the unit.

Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and a lot of flames as they searched the apartment. Unfortunately, they found a man in a bedroom who was not able to get out. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man's cause of death is still being investigated, but officials believe he died from injuries sustained in the fire.

Fire officials said the fast work of responding units kept the fire from spreading.

"They were able to stop the fire in quick fashion to save the other apartments. They were able to save the man's dog. They made entry on the third-floor side, not the balcony side, where they did discover the dog and were able to save the dog," Deputy Chief Bryan Sky-Eagle said.

HFD said it appears the fire started in the kitchen, but the exact cause remains under investigation. Firefighters reportedly did not hear smoke alarms going off during the fire, including in the neighboring units.

Officials said 85 firefighters responded to the scene. No firefighter injuries were reported.

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