Over 120 firefighters worked overnight to control a large fire at the Tran Law Group building in west Houston. The fire, which started Wednesday evening, caused part of the building to collapse. Despite the intense flames that damaged the walls and roof, no injuries have been reported. Click2Houston captured aerial footage of the fire, confirming the structural damage.
The Houston Fire Department issued a three-alarm alert for the fire to bring in additional manpower, as crews expected the building to collapse, refraining from more aggressive measures until it occurred. In a statement obtained by Fox26Houston, Dept. Chief Bryan Sky-Eagle said, "We're gonna be here all night. If you're coming this way in the morning, take another route." The utility company CenterPoint Energy has to go quickly to shut off power to the surrounding area, a move likely to remain in effect till morning.
Authorities have pointed to an electrical panel near a stairwell as the fire's origin, but the exact cause remains under investigation. Firefighters who arrived on scene initially saw heavy smoke billowing from the second floor and began an aggressive attack to contain the flames. However, the building's conditions quickly turned too hot for the firefighters to continue, Deputy Chief Sky-Eagle noted in an interview with Fox26Houston.
Fire crews faced challenges beyond the flames, like a limited water supply impeding their efforts. "We've got some, but this is not enough water for all of this. That's what's causing the delay," said Dept. Chief Sky-Eagle in his interview with Fox26Houston. With the building at 6689 West Sam Houston Parkway South braced for imminent collapse, emergency personnel strategically pulled back to safely manage the scene. Firefighters continued to work overnight, as reported by Click2Houston, setting up lighting and coordinating with police to control traffic in the darkened area. Updates on the situation are expected as the investigation unfolds and efforts to secure the site continue.
