Houston, TX – One person has died and approximately 25 residents have been displaced following a devastating overnight apartment fire in north Harris County early today.
According to the Harris County ESD 16 Klein Fire Department, crews were dispatched at approximately 1:39 a.m. to the Cypresswood Apartments on Cypresswood Drive near Kuykendahl Road after reports of a multi-alarm structure fire. Mutual aid departments, including Spring Fire Department, Ponderosa Fire Department, Harris County ESD 17 Little York Fire Department, and Northwest Volunteer Fire Department, also responded.
Officials said first-arriving firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions that led to a partial structural collapse.
Before fire crews arrived, deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, who were in the area on an unrelated call, spotted smoke and began helping neighbors knock on doors to evacuate residents.
Upon arrival, Klein Fire Department Engine 37 and Ponderosa Engine 62 conducted an aggressive window rescue of one resident and immediately began CPR. Despite extensive life-saving efforts, one victim died.
Authorities reported that 13 civilians were impacted by the fire. Harris County ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare transported six people to local hospitals, while seven others were treated at the scene. Five firefighters were also treated for heat exhaustion, dehydration, and smoke inhalation. Officials said all firefighters are expected to recover.
The blaze destroyed an eight-unit apartment building, displacing about 25 residents.
The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under active investigation by the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office.
