Man in his 70s killed after parked RV catches fire in southeast Houston, HPD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A 72-year-old man is dead after an RV fire left him trapped in southeast Houston overnight, according to police.

On Wednesday night, the Houston Police Department said an officer was working on a report across the street when she noticed smoke coming from a parked RV on Howard Drive.

"(The officer) got over here as fast as she could, but unfortunately... the RV was engulfed, and there was nothing she could do, so she tried," HPD Lt. R. Willkens said at the scene.

Willkens said the victim was a 72-year-old man who lived in the RV and had spoken to his family earlier in the day.

"It sounds to me like a horrible, tragic accident, so prayers for the family," Willkens said.

The lieutenant said it's unclear how the fire happened, but an investigation is ongoing.