Houston: Hillcroft Avenue apartment fire damages 40 units, officials say

Southwest Houston apartment fire damages 40 units

Crews were called to Ashford St. Cloud Apartments on Hillcroft Avenue at about 2:00 p.m. on Thursday.

HOUSTON - Over three dozen apartment units were damaged after a three-alarm fire that quickly spread through a building in southwest Houston.

Hillcroft Avenue fire 

What we know:

Crews were called to Ashford St. Cloud Apartments on 6525 Hillcroft Avenue at about 2 p.m. on Thursday.

According to Deputy Chief Bryan Sky-Eagle with the Houston Fire Department, the fire was raised to a two-alarm, then a three-alarm within 30 minutes. Over 200 firefighters were called to the scene.

In addition to the wind gusts, the deputy chief said the building's old structure also caused the fire to spread quickly.

"When the crews arrived, they found heavy fire that was rapidly expanding to the second floor," said Dep. Chief Sky-Eagle. "[The complex] had no fire stops. Which means, once the fine spreads in the attic or from apartment to apartment, it takes off. There's no stopping it."

No injuries have been reported.

An American Red Cross disaster team says they will open a shelter for residents who were impacted by the fire.

What we don't know:

There is no information on what caused the fire or how many residents were displaced.