Houston Fire says about 60 people were displaced after a fire damaged about 16 units at the Bayou West Condominiums.
HOUSTON — Dozens of residents were displaced after a large apartment fire damaged more than a dozen units at a southwest Houston complex early New Year’s Day.
The fire broke out at the Bayou West Condominiums along Club Creek Drive. According to the Houston Fire Department, crews were called to the scene at about 1 a.m.
When firefighters arrived, they found the balcony and roof of one building completely engulfed in heavy fire and smoke. Fire officials stated that crews were unable to save the building where the fire originated, but were able to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures.
HFD said about 16 apartment units were damaged, leaving around 60 people displaced.
Firefighters say they found multiple boxes of fireworks in a courtyard area. Fire officials believe an aerial firework may have sparked the fire.
“In particular, the rockets, the shooting, the aerials. Well, they must have hit the balcony in the roof area because we suspect some of those rockets went into the roof area and balcony because we got that’s where the bulk of the fire is and once it lit up the balcony, it’s it ran down the roof line to the entire structure,” said Bryan Sky-Eagle, Deputy Chief with the Houston Fire Department.
Firefighters also faced challenges during the response, including low water pressure, which delayed roof operations and forced crews to rely on hand lines instead of aerial equipment.
No injuries were reported.
The American Red Cross was called to the scene to help displaced families. A Red Cross spokesperson said teams were notified of the fire around 3 a.m. and immediately responded with emergency supplies, including blankets, water and comfort kits.
Officials said many families were able to find a place to stay initially, but more residents were expected to return to the complex as daylight revealed the full extent of the damage.
Among those displaced was Emilia Rios, who lived in the damaged building with her family. She said they went to sleep early on New Year’s Eve but were later woken up by people knocking on their windows and yelling for them to get out.
“I’m just thinking, how are we going to start over?” Rios said. “We’re not financially stable right now.”
For Bryan Rodriguez, his family, and 58 of his neighbors, it’s a New Year’s Day they won’t forget.
“I’m just thanking God. I’m glad I’m out here, and I’m still breathing,” he said.
According to Rodriguez, celebrations quickly turned to a near-death experience.
“There was so much commotion outside, but we thought it was from fireworks, you know, people being happy. But then, they were, like, ‘fuego, fuego,’ and that means fire,” he said.
When he stepped outside, he saw a massive fire quickly consuming his building. His four-person family and their dog slept in his father’s truck after losing everything.
On top of the fire ripping through his home, it was also his little sister’s birthday.
Fire officials are reminding residents that fireworks are illegal within Houston city limits and can be especially dangerous in apartment complexes with shared courtyards and roof lines.
Watch the update officials gave at the scene:
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