An early morning blaze at an apartment complex in North Harris County is under investigation after officials deemed it to be the work of an arsonist. The fire, which occurred today at the Ascension Apartment complex located on Cypress Station Drive, resulted in the displacement of multiple families and significant damage to the property. KHOU 11 reported that 25-year-old Tyricen Hawthorne, a resident at the complex, has been arrested and charged with arson of habitation.
The fire was reported to the Ponderosa Fire Department at approximately 3:07 a.m, sparking a response from various local first responders to tackle the emergency. Accounts from those at the scene describe the confusion and desperation felt by residents, many of whom were asleep when the fire erupted. A social media post by the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office (HCFMO) stated that most of the 37 units affected by the incident were vacant, with seven suffering fire damage and others being affected by smoke and water damage.
The HCFMO took Tyricen Hawthorne into custody at the scene, where he was found to be responsible for intentionally setting the fire. During the incident, one person was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. In the wake of the devastation, the American Red Cross has been called in to provide assistance to the approximately eight families who have been displaced by the fire.
Several departments, including Little York Fire Department, Spring Fire Department, Klein Fire Department, and the Harris County ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare unit, were among the first responders who provided mutual aid during the situation. The investigation by the HCFMO is ongoing, as officials piece together the circumstances that led to this calamitous and intentional act of destruction, as per KHOU 11.
