Two-alarm fire injures 2 firefighters near Galleria
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Two Houston firefighters were injured after a two-alarm fire broke out at an apartment complex near the Galleria.
The blaze began just before 4:45am at the Briarwood Apartment complex on Winrock and Ella Lee Lane, just west of the Galleria area.
Firefighters were able to snuff out the flames after two hours with the use of two HFD ladder trucks.
When they arrived on the scene, firefighters found heavy fire showing from the second and third floors of the middle of one apartment building, and pulled a second alarm.
VIDEO: Foti Kalleris reports from the 2-alarm fire
Two firefighters were injured while battling the fire. One firefighter was taken away on a stretcher. He appeared okay, sitting up as firefighters carried him away, but may have suffered from heat exhaustion or smoke inhalation.
The second firefighter suffered minor injuries. Both firefighters were taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital.
Twelve apartment units had heavy damage, including five that suffered water damage, according to HFD officials. Fortunately, no residents were injured.
RAW VIDEO: Firefighters at scene of 2-alarm apartment fire in W. Houston
There is still no word on what caused the fire.
One resident told abc13 reporter Foti Kallergis that a loud explosion was heard right before the fire began. She was able to escape her apartment safely.
Other witnesses say residents were awakened by people banging on the doors, screaming for them to get out.
Arson investigators are still at the scene trying to figure out what started the fire.
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