Fire damages four southeast Houston apartments

HOUSTON – A fire damaged at least four apartments Sunday night at a southeast Houston complex.

The fire happened about 11:45 p.m. at the Reserve at Windmill Lakes apartments at Windmill Lakes Boulevard and Almeda Genoa Road.

By the time firefighters arrived, people were evacuated from the four units, but there was still a pet left behind.

“I let them know that my dog was trapped inside,” said Isabel Medina, one of the residents.

Firefighters were able to rescue her soot-covered pooch, but that was the only thing that could be salvaged.
“I’m in disbelief, and I don’t know what to do next,” Medina said.

Medina said she had saved up enough money to be able to cover her bills, but the single mother and full-time student said she is going to have to start from scratch.

“Everything is gone,” Medina said.

While investigators are still determining the cause of the fire, Medina said she believes she knows what started it.

“The neighbor, herself, came out and apologized to me,” Medina said. “She said that her fireplace was on and the flames went up.”