SEABROOK, Texas – Firefighters got a first look Friday at damage caused by a fire that gutted the Hampton Inn on NASA Road 1 in Seabrook.
With the flames out, the investigation into what caused the fire has begun. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents agents are assisting the Harris County fire marshal and Seabrook Fire Department because of "the magnitude of the fire," said Chief Ray Cook.
"Just looking for anything that could be a possible cause of the fire. Mechanical, electrical, those kind of things," Cook said.
The fire was declared under control at 4:20 a.m. Friday after firefighters had fought to put out the flames since before 5 p.m. Thursday. Cook said it was difficult to get water inside the roof because it is designed to keep water out.
"The fire was in some hidden crawlspaces which allowed it to take and go vertical and ultimately go horizontally across the attic space at the roofline," Cook said.
Agents were at the scene of the fire Friday morning. A representative from the department declined comment to KPRC 2 News about why the agency was called out to assist.
Guests were immediately evacuated after reports of smoke and flames coming from the roof.
Ten different departments with more than 100 firefighters all worked to get the fire under control. Five hours after it started, there were still visible flames and smoke coming from the building and part of the structure had collapsed.
"Our primary concern was for the safety of everyone inside the building," said Seabrook Assistant Fire Chief Andrew Gutacker. "The first units were dedicated to getting everyone out of the building."
"There was a fire alarm, then a knock on the door, and smoke in the hallways, and everyone had to get out," said Sue Meier, from Phoenix.
Meier was in town to celebrate a friend's retirement. They had a block of 10 rooms reserved for the night, but she never had the chance to check in. Meier got the call from her other friends, who said they all had to evacuate quickly.
Hotel guests were put up at other area hotels, and some went to the Seabrook Community Center.
The apartment complex next to the hotel was also evacuated.
The city of Seabrook tweeted portions of NASA Parkway between the 2500 block and 3500 block are closed in both directions. It has since reopened.
Investigators confirmed smoke detectors and the sprinkler system inside the hotel were properly working and that the building was inspected within the last year. Investigators will now put their notes together and determine a cause. Cook said the building is considered a total loss, and it will take several days to reach a conclusion. The building has been turned back over to its owners.
No one was hurt.