Apartment Fire on Richmond Avenue in Mid-West Houston Claims Three Pets

At 7:42 am on December 2, 2023, Houston Fire Department (HFD) responded to a fire at 9707 Richmond Ave. 77063. Firefighters from Stations 2, 28, 78, 60, 68, 69, 83, 51, 24, and Rescue 10 arrived on the scene within five minutes to find an apartment ablaze.

Upon arrival, firefighters swiftly initiated an attack, conducting a primary search and ventilating the affected unit. Emergency crews discovered several pets inside, leading to immediate care for the animals. Despite their efforts, three cats succumbed to the flames, while one dog was successfully treated on the scene and revived.

The fire was contained within the unit of origin, with smoke affecting the unit above. Firefighters utilized fans to disperse the smoke and promptly shut off utilities to both affected units. The estimated property saved amounts to $190,000, while the damage is estimated at $20,000.

HFD Arson investigators ruled the cause of the fire as accidental, originating in the kitchen. The 36 personnel who responded to the incident ensured a thorough extinguishment of the fire and requested the arson team to determine the precise cause and origin.

On December 3, the fire rekindled. Firefighters arrived on scene within seven minutes to find a second-floor apartment on fire. They conducted a primary search with no one found. The fire was in the attic and broke through the roof. A second alarm was requested, and rehab was established. The crews extinguished the fire which caused major damage to the 8-unit building, with a significant portion of the roof burned off. There was heavy fire and water damage to the second-floor units and water damage to the first-floor units. The American Red Cross was requested to assist the occupants and the property manager and homeowner association president were on scene.

The total damage was estimated at $800,000.