Woman found dead after large fire rips through north Harris Co. apartment complex

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A woman is dead after a large fire broke out at an apartment complex in north Harris County on Thursday morning.

Officials initially said no injuries were reported, but in a later update, the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office said an adult woman was found dead inside a bedroom in the unit where they believe the fire started.

Two other residents were taken to the hospital -- one for anxiety and one due to smoke inhalation, officials said.

SkyEye flew over the burning complex, where large clouds of smoke and flames were seen rising from the roof.

The fire started burning around 4:40 a.m. at The Park at Cumberland Apartment Complex at 505 Cypress Station Drive, firefighters said. HCFMO said the fire was out shortly after 7 a.m.

The flames were contained to building four. Officials believe there are 14 units in the building.

Video from the scene shows firefighters inside the building's second floor, trying to extinguish the flames.

The Ponderosa Fire Department, Spring Fire Department, and Harris County Fire Marshal's Office were among the agencies that responded to the scene.

Ponderosa Fire Chief Fred Windisch explained that the building's roof caused difficulty for fighters at the scene. He said the buildings had flat roofs many years ago. Since then, hip roofs were placed on top of them.

"It hinders our attack to where we literally have to wait until the built-up roof fails, and then it goes into the attic. So we can only do so much during that initial time period, and the fire continues to grow," he said.

The cause of the fire will be under investigation by the fire marshal's office. Windisch said it appears the fire started in a downstairs unit and went straight up. He believes the unit where the fire started was occupied.

It was a scary way to wake up for many people at the complex. ABC13 Reporter Courtney Carpenter spoke with residents who were able to escape.

"I looked out my window and all I see is flames, so I was really scared because I thought it was my unit," Keavia Doiron said.

"What scared me was the ambulances, everyone rushing. I am right in the very front so I could hear everything," Twala Smith said.

The residents said another fire burned in building six just a few months ago.

The Red Cross is assisting residents who were displaced.

For more news updates, follow Courtney Carpenter on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.