An early morning blaze ripped through a Gulfgate Riverview / Pine Valley area apartment complex last Saturday, leaving behind a trail of destruction and displacing several families. The Houston Fire Department received the call at approximately 2 a.m. on March 11th and firefighters were on the scene at 2434 Lidstone St. within a mere six minutes, a prompt response that witnesses say helped avert a graver tragedy.
The fire and smoke were said to be billowing from the two-story building when the crews arrived, leading them to launch an aggressive attack on the flames and commence ventilation efforts to clear the structure. Firefighters conducted primary and secondary searches of the premises finding no victims, and they successfully secured the utilities to prevent any further hazards before extinguishing the blaze, according to details provided in a report by City of Houston News.
Though no injuries were reported, the property damage from the incident is estimated at around $60,000. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but early indications suggest it was accidental. HFD Arson investigators have been called in to determine the precise cause and origin of the fire.
In the aftermath, the American Red Cross was notified to assist the four families whose homes were gutted by fire, providing them with the necessary aid to navigate through the unexpected crossroads of upheaval and loss. A total of 43 personnel responded to the blaze, including teams from Stations 18, 20, 23, 26, 25, 40, 24, and 46.
