5 firefighters injured in Houston high-rise fire

By Mike Glenn
The Houston Chronicle

HOUSTON — Houston firefighters followed the "textbook approach" in fighting a blaze at a high-rise building Monday night, officials said, sending dozens of fire trucks and deploying nearly 200 crew members.

No one was seriously injured in the fire at the JPMorgan Chase building at 712 Main, formerly the Gulf Building, officials said. Five firefighters were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, but their injuries were not life-threatening, said Assistant Chief Jack Williams.

No cause had been determined by late Monday.

The fire, reported shortly after 8 p.m., was confined to the 27th floor of the historic building, officials said. At one point, clouds of smoke could be seen coming from near the top of the building.

The floor is used solely by the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program, the pro bono wing of the Houston Bar Association.

The fire was brought under control about 11:20 p.m., said Assistant Chief Omero Longoria.

Fire officials said fighting such fires is labor-intensive. In Monday's blaze, about 175 firefighters responded, many carrying their equipment up the stairs.

Fresh crews were brought in throughout the night to replace their fatigued colleagues.

"Any fire in a high-rise is intensive, just to get water to that level," Longoria said.

Mayor Annise Parker complimented the department's efforts.

"They went above and beyond tonight," she said outside the building Monday night. "They had to pull the hoses all the way up."

Parker said she worked in the Art Deco building for 12 years.

"It's a beautiful, historic building," she said.

Firefighters also had to deal with a problem with the building's internal water supply — apparently a broken pipe. HFD had to pipe water directly into the building.

City officials said they hope traffic around the building will be cleared by this morning but were not certain.

"It's going to be a long night," Parker said.

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