Houston Walnut Creek Apartment Fire Damages 12 Units

Families at a north Houston apartment complex were forced out of their homes before dawn on Wednesday, Oct. 14, after a fire damaged a dozen units. No one was hurt, but the number of people displaced has not been made public, and the cause is still unknown.

What happened

The Houston Fire Department was called to Walnut Creek Apartments, at 11411 Green Plaza Drive near Fallbrook Drive, shortly after 1 a.m., according to KPRC Click2Houston. Fire officials said the blaze appears to have started on the second floor. Houston Stringer reported that crews had no problems with water supply and that the fire did not grow into a larger one, which matches the account given to KHOU 11.

In all, 12 units were damaged. Reports do not say how many were burned and how many suffered smoke or water damage, and the fire department has not released the size of the building involved.

Who was affected

All three outlets reported no injuries or fatalities. The American Red Cross was called to help families who could not stay in their apartments. None of the early reports gave a headcount of displaced residents; they say only that multiple families were affected.

A resident told KHOU 11, in a report carried by Yahoo News, that children lived in some of the affected units and that she was worried about what could have happened. That detail is a reminder of how fortunate the outcome was: a fire in the early morning hours reaches people while they are asleep.

Cause and investigation

Houston Fire Department arson investigators are looking into the fire, and officials have not identified a cause. Residents quoted by KHOU 11 had different views about how it started. One suspected it was set deliberately, while others thought it could have been accidental and said the unit where it began might have been vacant. None of that has been confirmed by investigators, and it should be treated as speculation until officials say otherwise.

What this means for renters

If your building has a fire, even one that does not reach your apartment, several steps can protect you:

• Find out where you can stay. The Red Cross can provide short-term help, and management may offer a different unit. Ask for any offer in writing, including how long it lasts.
• Contact your insurer. Renters insurance with loss-of-use coverage can reimburse hotel and food costs. Without it, your landlord's insurance generally does not cover your belongings.
• Ask about rent. Leases and state law often address what happens when a unit is made unusable by fire. A tenant who is unsure whether to keep paying should get written guidance from the landlord and consider calling a local tenant legal aid group before stopping payment.
• Ask about the building. Smoke detectors, sprinklers where present, and fire doors should all be working. If something was out of order before the fire, report it in writing.
• Keep records. Save photos, texts and emails with management, and receipts for every cost caused by the fire.

Overnight fires are especially dangerous because residents may not wake up quickly. Test your smoke alarm monthly, sleep with the bedroom door closed to slow smoke, and plan two routes out of your unit. If you live on an upper floor, know where the nearest stairwell is before you ever need it.

Updates are expected from the Houston Fire Department as the investigation proceeds. We will add substantial new facts, such as a determined cause or the number of displaced residents, if they are released.