Woman dies in apartment fire that spread across 3 buildings in southwest Houston: HFD

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Firefighters responded as flames raced through the upper units of a southwest Houston apartment complex on Friday evening, the Houston Fire Department said.

Firefighters said a total of three buildings were burned at the Westmount at Braesridge Apartments on Braesridge Drive near West Bellfort Avenue.

Officials said that a woman was found dead in one of the burned buildings.

"It's something out of a movie," resident Jeremiah Cook said.

SkyEye was overhead as the flames engulfed sections of the apartment complex. ABC13 Chief Meteorologist Travis Herzog was on air during the fire, and said winds in the area may have allowed the fire to spread from one building to another.

Firefighters later confirmed the wind played a factor in the fire spreading, along with the fact that the buildings were connected.

"The wind pushed it to another building, which jumped to a third building, so you're talking about three rooftops," Deputy Chief Bryan Sky-Eagle said.

According to Sky-Eagle, firefighters believe the fire started on the third floor of one of the buildings. He also said that a hydrant located inside the complex helped firefighters establish water quickly.

Despite the fast work by fire crews, officials later confirmed a woman was found dead in a first-floor unit.

Sky-Eagle added that many elderly people live in the apartment complex. He said that a 90-year-old woman was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

"When I heard the alarm went off in my apartment and then it went off in the hall, I ignored it," Charlotte Vallair said. "But then I peeped out the door and I smelled the smoke, so that's when I knew something was burning. It was a big blaze."

According to authorities, between 20 and 30 apartment units were initially impacted across 3 buildings in the complex.

The American Red Cross said it is working closely with families to offer support to everyone affected and has opened a shelter for those who need it.