Neighbors recall terrifying moments a warehouse fire led to partial roof collapse in SW Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston Fire Department is investigating a warehouse fire after the building's roof partially collapsed in southwest Houston.

At about 10:30 a.m. Monday, firefighters responded to the 20,000-square-foot building in the 12600 block of Bellaire Boulevard.

The building is located next to an apartment complex. Neighbors described the frantic moments after the fire started.

"I thought something was burning in my kitchen," Kennie Lawson recalled. "I saw smoke all over the living room. I went outside, and the whole sky was dark. I was like, 'What's going on? Is that a bomb or something?'"

Luckily, no one was hurt.

A stretch of Dairy Ashford Road was closed for hours. It reopened several hours after the fire started.

Firefighters aren't sure about the cause, but they did question someone.

"HFD arson did speak to a witness on location," Houston Fire Department spokesperson Shedrick Robinett explained. "He was not in custody, but we did ask questions."

The building is in Council member Tiffany Thomas' district. She said there have been homeless encampments in the area, but none that she's aware of inside the abandoned building.

Thomas said the only recent issue with the facility was trash and debris on the property, but the owners cleaned it.

ABC13 reached out to Alief ISD regarding the fire's proximity to a school. The district sent the following statement:

"Dear Elsik 9th Grade Center and Elsik High School families,
In an effort of transparency, we would like to inform you of an issue that has occurred near Dairy Ashford and Bellaire. Though your child's campus has not been affected, we are keeping the students and staff safe until the issue has been resolved."

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