Video of a building under construction that caught fire in Houston on Tuesday was uploaded to Youtube today. The most stunning part: a construction worker who narrowly escaped the flames.

Karen Jones, who recorded the footage from a nearby building, feared for the mans life.

When we saw his foot slip, Jones said, we thought he was going to be gone.

In the footage, a construction worker stands on an unfinished fifth floor balcony. At one point, the flames become so intense that he is forced to leap to the fourth floor balcony below.

As firefighters inch closer, the construction worker jumps from the balcony to the firefighters ladder, much to the relief of Jones and other onlookers.

As the ladder begins to retract, part of the fifth floor wall collapses and nearly lands on both men.

Fortunately, the fire was brought under control with no reports of injuries.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Sources: The Huffington Post, The Times Picayne

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Construction Worker Rescued From Massive Fire In Houston Apartment Building (Video)

Photo By Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle

Houston Fire Dept. Capt. Jake Sandlin, left, Engine Operator Dwayne Wyble , center, and Senior Capt. Brad Hawthorne, Right, eat at Goode Company, 5109 Kirby Dr., where they paid for their meals despite the restaurant offering free BBQ sandwiches all day to HFD members Wednesday, March 26, 2014 in Houston. Wyble was operating the ladder that Capt. Hawthorne was on when he was captured on video rescuing a worker who was trapped by yesterday's apartment fire. Speaking about grabbing the man who jumped from a balcony onto the ladder, Capt. Hawthrone said, "just another day at the office." (Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle)

Photo By Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle

Houston Fire Dept. Senior Capt. Brad Hawthorne eats at Goode Company, 5109 Kirby Dr., where he paid for his meal despite the restaurant offering free BBQ sandwiches all day to HFD members Wednesday, March 26, 2014 in Houston. Capt. Hawthorne was captured on video rescuing a worker who was trapped by yesterday's apartment fire. Speaking about grabbing the man who jumped from a balcony onto the ladder, he said, "just another day at the office."(Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle)

Photo By Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle

Houston Fire Department members have lunch Wednesday at Goode Company on Kirby. The restaurant is offering free barbecue sandwiches all day to Houston firefighters.

Photo By Cody Duty/Houston Chronicle

Houston firefighters continued to douse hot spots Wednesday morning, the day after a five-alarm inferno consumed an apartment complex under construction near downtown.

Photo By Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle

From the Magnolia Cemetery of Houston firefighters battled a large 5-alarm blaze Tuesday afternoon at an apartment building under construction on West Dallas near Montrose Tuesday, March 25, 2014, in Houston. Flames engulfed the apartment complex as 200 firefighters in 80 units fought to gain an upper hand on the blaze. The five-story, 368-unit building was destroyed. No injuries were reported.

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Houston finding ways to offer thanks for HFD battling monster blaze

A construction worker forced by flames onto the ledge of a Houston apartment building was rescued just as he prepared to jump to safety.

Video posted to YouTube shows one construction worker on a fourth-floor balcony, with fierce flames showing inside the building. As he was waiting for a ladder truck to come to his aid, the worker dropped down, swinging onto a balcony below.

He was eventually rescued by the ladder, just as the top-story wall fell behind him in flames.

The video, uploaded by user Karen Jones, claims to have been shot from a building on the AIG campus near the scene of the fire.

Houston Fire Department spokesman Captain Ruy Lozano told the Houston Chronicle the only people inside were construction workers, all of whom were accounted for. No injuries were reported.

Fire officials said more than 200 emergency personnel had responded to the fire at the large apartment complex under construction.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Much of the high-rise structure was reduced to rubble by wind-driven flames.

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Worker rescued from flames

WTVM/CNN -

Witnesses captured video of a construction worker's escape from a burning apartment complex in Houston.

CNN's Christine Romans reports that flames engulfed the building yesterday, March 25.

In the footage, witnesses can be heard exclaiming, "Oh my God! Is that a construction guy? Yeah!"

It's a heart stopping rescue, as the construction worker is trapped on a ledge, and the building he was working in is engulfed in flames.

The footage shows the five alarm fire ravage through the Houston apartment complex, forcing the worker to cling to a ledge trying to escape the massive blaze.

Watch as the intense heat forces him to hang, and drop to a ledge below. He slips, and then regains his balance.

Witnesses captured the tense moments on camera, watching as firefighters finally reached the man and pull him onto the ladder truck just in time.

"Oh thank Jesus. Thank you, God!" A witness is heard saying.

Seconds later, the building begins to collapse just feet away from the retreating ladder.

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Construction worker narrowly escapes burning building

Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle

A second building under construction catches fire as HFD attempts to extinguish fire at the corner of Marconi St. and Dallas Ave. on March 25, 2014, in Houston, Tx.

Photo By Randy McCoy

A Houston Firefighter aids in the rescue of a construction worker from a five-alarm blaze in the 2400 block of West Dallas near Montrose Tuesday, March 25, 2014. Witness Randy McCoy said the worker had to jump down one story and wait on a ledge for the ladder to reach him. McCoy said that the worker appeared to be uninjured. (Randy McCoy/ Special to the Chronicle)

Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle

Firefighters prepares so use additional water hoses to contain a five-alarm fire at a construction site at the corner of Marconi St. and Dallas Ave. on March 25, 2014, in Houston, Tx.

Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle

Houston Fire Department attempts to extinguish a five-alarm fire at a construction site at the corner of Marconi St. and Dallas Ave. on March 25, 2014, in Houston, Tx.

Photo By Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle

Houston Fire Department battles an apartment fire that was under construction at the corner of Marconi St. and Dallas Ave. on March 25, 2014, in Houston, Tx.

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2-alarm fire burns near downtown Houston

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.

Lozano says all firefighters and construction workers have been accounted for. Juan and Raul Hernandez were among the construction workers who ran for their lives as the flames spread fast.

Raul recalled, "When everybody started screaming, I just climbed down the scaffold and walked away."

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.

"It was frightening," Reader said. "In an hour and a half, it was unbelievable how fast it spread."

Political consultant Adam Harris was among those stuck in traffic. He shot video of the fire as the lone trapped worker was rescued.

"How amazing it is that nobody was hurt," Harris said. "Blows my mind. I actually talked to some of the workers and said, 'What happened?' And they said, 'We don't know. Everyone yelled fire, fire, fire and we got out.'"

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.

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Massive fire reduces luxury apartment building to rubble in Montrose area

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

The Selwyn Foundations new five storey apartment building currently under construction at Hillsboroughs Selwyn Heights Village is to be named the Reeves Apartments, in honour of the late Right Reverend and Honourable Sir Paul Reeves, Archbishop and Primate of New Zealand, 1980-1985, and Governor General of New Zealand, 1985-1990.

As Bishop of Auckland and Archbishop, Sir Paul was President of the Foundation when Selwyn made its first foray into independent living accommodation. During his tenure, Sir Paul officiated at a number of events marking the Foundations development of services.

Sir Paul belonged to the Puketapu hapu of the Te Atiawa of Taranaki and was the first person of Maori descent to be appointed Governor General. It is generally recognised that he touched hearts as few public figures have and was committed to shaping and improving life in New Zealand. He was not afraid to say what he believed and spoke on all subjects with knowledge and a cutting-edge.

"In naming our new apartments in honour of Sir Paul, we celebrate his memory, his association with The Selwyn Foundation and the respect in which he was held by so many New Zealanders," said Garry Smith, the Chief Executive Officer of The Selwyn Foundation.

Specifically designed to optimise the exceptional vistas of the surrounding landscape, the Reeves Apartments will occupy a central position in the Village and will complete the U-shaped complex of community facilities and apartments surrounding Selwyn Heights existing bowling green and Chapel. Showcasing the latest thinking in retirement living, this prestigious development will also offer an extensive array of new amenities, including swimming and spa pools, a gymnasium, restaurant, function area, retail outlets, and underground car parking.

With prices starting from $415,000, these 56 stylish one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments will be available in November 2014 and will further expand the Villages appeal for retirees looking for quality and style in a premium environment.

Selwyn Heights Village is part of The Selwyn Foundation, an independent charitable trust with Christian values, providing independent retirement living, residential care and community services for older people. http://www.selwyncare.org.nz

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New apartments named in honor of Right Revd Sir Paul Reeves

New numbers from a research company are confirming what anyone can see in a drive around Charlotte: Apartment construction in the city is at an all-time high.

Some in the real estate community say Charlotte might be on the verge of an apartment market bubble. But apartment complex builders say strong job growth and a rising population will keep the market thriving.

A new report from research firm Real Data tracked activity in Charlottes multifamily market over the past six months and found 10,067 units under construction. Most of the new units are in uptown and in neighborhoods such as South End, SouthPark, NoDa and Elizabeth. An additional 11,003 units have been proposed.

The units under construction mark the most apartment-building Charlotte has ever seen, according to Charles Dalton, principal at Real Data. The previous high came during in 2000, he said, when just under 8,000 units were under construction.

The city over the past five years has averaged 4,479 units under construction, so the latest figures show the multifamily development market has yet to cool down, despite concerns in some quarters that it might be getting overbuilt. The Real Data report says that as the newest units hit the market in the next year, vacancy rates that currently sit at 6.2 percent will rise to as much as 8 percent.

Critics say developers who couldnt get money to build condos or single-family homes during the recession are bingeing on apartment construction since banks have been more likely to lend for multifamily projects.

I think were kind of overdosing on the apartments, said Wendy Field, who develops townhomes for sale. If you just drive around Charlotte you can tell. Theres just so many apartments. Its hard to think theres enough people to justify it all.

She believes Charlottes apartment market could see a downturn similar to the recent real estate bubble if rental rates dont keep performing well enough to keep banks and other creditors happy.

Apartment developers disagreed.

Spectrum Properties broke ground last week for The Mint, a new 177-unit luxury apartment complex across West Fourth Street from the new BB&T Ballpark.

Excerpt from:
Charlotte apartment construction surges to all-time high

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RALEIGH COUNTY (WVVA) - A fire at a Raleigh County apartment building might be the work of an arsonist.

Firefighters were called to fight flames at the Coal River Road building around noon Thursday.

Crews were able to catch the fire in enough time to keep the structure standing.

No one lives in the apartments right now, the building has been under construction since last December.

Firefighters tell WVVA there are several clues pointing to arson, including the fact that there's no electrical service to the building.

The fire has been ruled suspicious and the investigation turned over to the state fire marshal's office.

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Crews fight fire at under-construction apartment building