By Jessica Faz
The Houston Chronicle
HOUSTON — Two firefighters were injured Monday while battling a blaze that gutted a pair of buildings on an industrial lot in northwest Harris County. An overhead power line snapped while the firefighters were inside a burning mobile home searching for any possible victims, said Deputy Chief Andy Dexter with the Klein Volunteer Fire Department. They were injured by an electrical shock.
The firefighters, from the Northwest Volunteer Fire Department, were taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital with minor injuries. They were expected to remain there overnight.
The fire broke out about 6 p.m. on Jorent near West Montgomery at a company that supplies wooden pallets. The fast-moving flames left in their wake little more than twisted metal and piles of charred wood.
“I saw the smoke, and before I knew it, flames had jumped from the building to the mobile home,” neighbor Regina Johnson said.
Horses evacuated
A stable also had to be evacuated when smoke from the blaze threatened the animals’ welfare. “I didn’t know if my horses were alive or dead,” stable boarder Rayshawn Mason said. “As soon as I could, I ran to make sure my horses were alive.”
Residents could be seen walking horses by hand away from the smoldering ruins. The high winds also sent flames to a house trailer next to the business, which stored thousand of pounds of wooden pallets, officials said.
The injured firefighters, whose names have not been released, entered the burning mobile home.
They reported in, saying the mobile home was clear. Then, an overhead power line burned through, officials said.
“When it fell to the ground, it (the power line) hit them in the back of the head and the shoulders,” said Chief Wesley Cole with the Northwest Volunteer Fire Department.
A third firefighter was sent to an area hospital to be checked out for a possible back injury. No other injuries were reported.
Water problems
The site’s location in an isolated area presented another challenge, officials said. The nearest source of water was nearly a mile away.
“The fire hydrant was intermittent and would not supply water on a continuous basis,” Cole said.
The fire was brought under control within about 90 minutes. Firefighters were expected to be at the scene throughout the night to douse any possible flare-ups.
Harris County fire marshals are investigating the cause of the blaze.
Chronicle reporter Mike Glenn contributed to this story.
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