By Kimberly Stauffer
The Houston Chronicle
Copyright 2006 The Houston Chronicle Publishing Company
All Rights Reserved
Firefighters responded to a brush and grass fire in the 100 block of Split Rock Road in The Woodlands where a small area of brush near a neighborhood entrance was smoldering.
Crews used a water extinguisher with foam to douse the flames. No property was reported damaged, according to The Woodlands Fire Department reports.
Firefighters also were dispatched to a grass fire at Budde Road and Volunteer Lane in Spring. Crews used 200 gallons of water and three gallons of foam to extinguish the flames while assisting other firefighters.
In another incident, a Woodlands resident called firefighters to check an extinguished grass fire in the 100 block of North Westwinds Circle.
The resident reportedly wanted crews to investigate a grass fire caused by fireworks in an open field. The fire was already out when crews arrived on scene, according to fire reports.
Smoking fridge gets unplugged
A resident reported a light haze and odor of smoke in her home in the 100 block of North Woodstock Circle Drive. Firefighters arrived on scene and noted the visible haze in the kitchen, but could not find a source for the problem.
Upon further investigation, crews discovered the smell of smoke was strongest behind and underneath the refrigerator. They removed the lower vent and found a black residue on the grate and unplugged the unit. No actual cause was pinpointed, but firefighters advised the woman to have the appliance repaired before using it again, according to fire reports.
Fire alarm brings crews
Firefighters responded to an unintentional smoke alarm activation at an office in the 1200 block of Lake Robbins Drive. Upon arrival, crews climbed stairs to the 32nd floor to investigate.
An electrical component involved with the elevators had overloaded, causing smoke that activated the alarm, according to fire reports.
Leaking oil line causes smoke
A laboratory in the 4000 block of Research Forest Drive in The Woodlands reported a combustible materials spill.
Upon arrival, firefighters investigated and determined a garbage truck had a broken hydraulic line leaking oil on to an engine block. The spill generated smoke, causing the driver to believe the engine was on fire. Using an absorbent agent, firefighters cleaned the oil spill and left the scene with Lexicon security handling the problem, according to fire reports.
Crews help control house fires
Firefighters responded to a house fire in the 600 block of Merrimac Ridge in Spring where crews assisted the Spring Volunteer Fire Department with exposure protection. After the structure fire was knocked down a ladder pipe, crews extinguished hotspots in the back of the house, according to fire reports.
In another incident, crews responded to a building fire in the 2000 block of Halstead Drive in Spring. Firefighters helped to salvage property and extinguish all flames, according to fire reports.
Crews mop up fuel, chemical spills
Firefighters cleaned a gallon of oil spilled on the road at Research Forest Drive and Gosling Road with three gallons of cleaning fluid and around 50 gallons of water, according to fire reports.
In another incident, a vehicle in the 1200 block of Lake Woodlands Drive was leaking gasoline from the fuel tank. A hazardous materials unit responded to control the leak and cleaned the site. At another location, firefighters arrived to contain a combustible chemical spill from a motor vehicle accident at Pinecroft Drive and Lake Woodlands Drive. Crews washed down an oil spill in the area, according to fire reports.