By Mike Glenn
The Houston Chronicle
Copyright 2006 The Houston Chronicle Publishing Company
All Rights Reserved
Thick black clouds billowed from the front door of a burning north Houston apartment Tuesday as neighbors frantically searched for a disabled woman trapped inside.
But extreme smoke and heat blocked them from saving Tawanna Maddox.
“I couldn’t see nothing but the smoke,” said resident Jack Harris.
The fire broke out about 11:45 a.m. at Independence Hall, an apartment complex for the elderly or disabled on Burress near Treadwell.
The cause is under investigation, said Houston Fire Department District Chief B.E. Burgess. Some residents were examined at the scene, but HFD officials said none required hospitalization.
Identified by friends, Maddox, 33, was found dead inside her apartment. She was in a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy, friends said.
“She needed assistance to get out of bed,” said Charlie Untz, another resident. “She would have her (health care) provider come during the day and at night to help her out.”
Although the fire was confined to Maddox’s apartment, fast-moving smoke quickly spread throughout the building, prompting others to action.
“I banged on all the doors and made sure everybody was out,” said Vickie Frohock. “I didn’t see anybody else.”
Gerald Jones said he heard the smoke alarm and immediately rushed to Maddox’s apartment.
“It was black,” said Jones, describing the view inside. “I called but she didn’t answer. I guess it was too late.”
Tuesday’s fatal fire is the third at the complex in less than a year, apartment officials said. Manager Bob Gamache said the apartments have working smoke detectors and the complex, which opened in 1972, is regularly checked by HFD.
“We are 100 percent in compliance with the fire department,” Gamache said.