Sunday, June 19, 2016

1 injured in Houston 4-alarm apartment fire. 25 to 30 apartments are damaged.




A 4-alarm apartment fire on Essex and Drexel.





Updated 19 mins ago
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- 25 to 30 apartments are damaged after a 4-alarm apartment fire.

It happened at the Essexhouse Apartments near Essex and Wesleyan in the River Oaks area around 1 a.m. on Sunday.

Firefighters believe the fire started on the third floor.

A resident, David Herel, said he was awake in his apartment when he saw his neighbor's balcony on fire.

"We're lucky we got out of there," said David Herel, who lives in the apartments.

No word on what started the fire at this time. The fire spread quickly.

Firefighters had a difficult time accessing the back of the building. There is a parking garage in the back and firefighters couldn't get inside of it in their fire truck so they had to run hoses.

One woman was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation but is expected to be okay.

No one else was hurt.

After the fire was out, firefighters went back inside apartments to recover any items they could for residents.

Paul Gruber and his wife waited anxiously as firefighters went back into their damaged apartment to look for their iguana, Leo.

Minutes later they were overjoyed when firefighters brought Leo out, alive and well.

"We're really happy, especially when you consider the extensive damage," said Gruber.

We're following this story on Eyewitness News. Watch for updates on air, online and on our mobile news app.