HOUSTON – Firefighters battled two separate blazes that were exacerbated by the winter blast sweeping across Houston, according to the Houston Fire Department.
The first fire happened around 2 a.m. Saturday at an apartment complex on Ella Lee and Gessner in West Houston.
HFD said they arrived to find flames shooting out of the two story building. They immediately pulled a second alarm, calling in more help.
With the added help, firefighters were able to get the blaze under control. HFD says the building was abandoned and empty.
Arson investigators said the high winds helped fuel the flames and caused the fire to spread quickly, though its cause is not known.
In another fire across town, HFD said an unattended fireplace was to blame for a southwest Houston house fire.
It happened at Finchwood and Concourse around 1 a.m. Saturday.
Investigators said someone working on the house lit a fire to keep warm in the cold. They left without making sure it was out and the fire spread to the surrounding walls.
The house was being renovated and empty at the time.
No one was injured in either fire.