Harris County families displaced after fire rips through apartment building

Morning fire in Houston leaves more than a dozen families homeless

More than a dozen families are starting over after a massive fire ripped through their apartment building in southwest Houston.

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - More than a dozen families in Harris County are starting over after a massive fire tore through an apartment building Wednesday morning. 

The roof collapsed, and all three floors were destroyed in the blaze. The fire happened at the Magnolia Terrace Apartments. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.

Magnolia Terrace Apartments fire

What we know:

Assistant Chief James Campbell of Houston Fire Department reports the initial alarm came at around 5:30 a.m.

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New cellphone videos show the intense fire as 100 firefighters battled the blaze and got it contained. 

What they're saying:

A neighbor said he woke up in a panic.

"I go outside, smoke and fireballs. It wasn’t in my actual unit, but it was like 20 feet away. It was on the porch. It was a lot of loss," said Javary Daniel.

Another neighbor said he heard people screaming, and believes the fire started from a barbecue pit on a porch.

"It was after they finished barbecuing around 2 a.m., and they thought they put it out, but it wasn’t," said Michael Stephens.

A woman says she feels terrible for the families who lost everything.

"The whole first floor is gone, like photos and birth certificates have to get replaced," said Quintelle Heywood.

What's next:

The American Red Cross is helping the displaced families. Management moved them to vacant units for now. 

Officials say the other buildings are structurally sound and residents will be allowed back inside once it's secure and safe. Right now, the fire marshal is investigating the cause.