A blaze that engulfed part of the Tia Pancha Flea Market on Airline Drive in north Houston this morning has left one firefighter with minor burns and a bystander treated for smoke inhalation; as crews battled the flames, they managed to contain the fire within the building of origin, ensuring it did not spread further.
Firefighters responded to the scene at approximately 9:13 a.m., and while the fire was brought under control around 10:40 a.m. the Little York Fire Department personnel remained on site throughout the afternoon to fully extinguish any remaining hotspots, said Fire Department Chief Sean Richardson in a statement obtained by the Houston Chronicle.
An ensuing investigation has begun to ascertain the cause of the fire at the popular marketplace, however, establishing how the fire started remains indeterminate as of the latest reports, as reported by FOX 26 Houston; one witness described an opaque haze billowing over the area complicating visibility and exacerbating concerns for public safety as emergency services navigated the chaotic scene.
Emergency medical services were prompt in transporting the injured firefighter to a nearby hospital to receive treatment for the minor burns incurred; in the same vein, the affected bystander was also given medical attention for smoke inhalation, according to officials.
