Massive fire rips through Humble apartments
HUMBLE, TX (KTRK) -- Investigators are working to determine the cause of a fire that ripped through an apartment complex, leaving two dozen families without a place to live.
The four-alarm response required more than 60 firefighters to respond to the Deerbrook Forest Apartments near the Easttex Freeway and FM 1960.
"It started just flaming up and flaming up, and it started falling on cars and everything like that," said resident Jalen Johnson.
Those living there say the fire seemed to start outside the apartments, near a stairway where crews had been doing some welding.
"I'm like oh my God, grab the dog, get out, call 911," said Deshaun Jackson.
Jackson is a good Samaritan who first saw the fire and began knocking on doors in an effort to get his neighbors to safety. He says he banged on at least two dozen doors.
"I heard people knocking on the door and banging on the door," said resident Show Hale.
Hale had been asleep. He moved in recently after losing his home to flooding. Now this.
"I ran out. Just my shoes on," Hale said.
Despite the heavy flames and thick smoke, no one was hurt.
Jackson does not see himself as a hero.
"I'd have done what everybody else would have done," Jackson said.
It's too early for investigators to say what started the fire. They are looking into the report about the welders.
Meantime, the American Red Cross is now assisting those 24 families affected by the fire.
