Massive fire reduces Houston luxury apartment to rubble

Courtesy KTRK News

HOUSTON (KTRK) --Houston firefighters called for five alarms on the fast-moving blaze that reduced a luxury apartment building under construction to rubble, and rescued one person from the scene.

The fire broke out around 12:30pm at the building on West Dallas at Marconi in the Montrose area. Huge portions of the unoccupied luxury apartment complex were completely engulfed in flames before collapsing, and thick black smoke filled the air. By 1:30pm, firefighters had called a fifth alarm on the blaze.

Houston Fire Department spokesperson Ruy Lozano says one construction worker was rescued from the third floor. The man was reportedly about to jump to safety, but a ladder truck reached him just in time. The man was not injured.

No other victims have been reported at this time. Lozano says all firefighters have been accounted for, but not all the construction workers have been yet. Authorities are working to account for those workers.

Eyewitness Larry Reader reported seeing a construction worker using a fire extinguisher trying to put out the flames at the beginning of the fire, and said that man then needed to be rescued from a balcony.

Lozano adds that the fire started at one end of the construction site and quickly spread to the other side, with winds speeding the fast-moving flames along. The exact orgin location and cause haven't been determined yet.

More than 80 units were dispatched to the scene with more than 200 personnel. This includes at least 14 ladder companies, 26 engine companies and five EMS transport units.

Firefighters sprayed nearby homes and buildings with water. The fire did not spread to any adjacent structures.

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Massive fire reduces Houston luxury apartment to rubble