HOUSTON -- A four-alarm fire ripped through southwest Houston's Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, destroying a warehouse and forcing organization officials to ask Houstonians to give the gift of life, Local 2 reported Monday.

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Houstonians Roll Up Sleeve To Give Gift Of Life Blood Center Burned By Fire Asks For Gift Of Life Donations

The blaze, caused by an unspecified electrical problem, gutted a warehouse at the blood center on La Concha and North Stadium at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Officials said about 500 units of blood, which could have helped 1,500 patients, were lost in the fire, which was contained before it reached a processing area.

"(The damaged) units were being processed at the time. Our employee safety is always priority so they had to leave those units being processed," the center president, Bill Teague, told Local 2.

Donors showed up Monday at the 15 Houston-area blood donation centers, hoping to help replenish the damaged blood supply.

"It's Valentine's Day. Might as well give the gift of life," donor Chad Spence told Local 2.

"It doesn't hurt and to me, it is the cheapest thing you can do to give the most effect. You are saving people's lives. It's a little time -- that's all it is," donor Heidi Case said.

The fire alarm sounded as employees were testing the 500 units of blood. They evacuated the center, leaving the blood behind.

The blood had to be destroyed because it was exposed to temperatures higher than allowed. However, the staff was able to salvage about 6,000 units of stored blood, a three-day supply.

Center officials told Local 2 they critically need the following blood types:

O+
O-
B+
B-

No injuries were reported in the fire, which was limited to the warehouse.

The center was to remain closed for cleanup Monday. Teague said, however, that the center would not draw or test any blood until their equipment is checked for damage.

"We were told that some ingredients in smoke has a negative effect on computers," he said. "We have to have representatives from the manufacturer of the machines come in and tell us if it works properly."

Teague said they could ask other blood centers for help if needed.

"That resource sharing goes on all the time," Teague said. "Lots of different places are ready, able and willing to ship (blood). We've been supplying blood throughout the process. We haven't missed a beat in terms of taking care of hospitals."

The center serves more than 200 hospitals and health care facilities.

To donate blood, visit www.giveblood.org or call (713) 790-1200.