Firefighters battling huge warehouse fire

PASADENA, TX (KTRK) -- Flames raced through a large warehouse in South Houston Tuesday afternoon, destroying a number of businesses housed inside. Fortunately everyone got out safely before the inferno took over.

The fire broke out just before noon on Perez near Spencer Highway. Dozens of firefighters with crews from South Houston, Pasadena and Houston fire departments tried to douse the flames. But it was too dangerous for them to do inside.

Commercial tenants included a construction materials company, a resale shop and a furniture store. The inventory helped fuel the fire.

Javier Gallegos Chao has owned Don Barato Bazaar and Furniture for nearly 30 years. They don't have insurance, he says, and lost everything to the fire. But he is thankful he, his wife and employees all got out before the flames destroyed it all.

"To me it's important to be alive and to think about my future," he said.

If you have photos or video of the fire, please email them to news@abc13.com or upload at iwitness.abc13.com.