Heater blamed for starting fire at east Houston motel

HOUSTON – Fire investigators believe a fire at a motel in east Houston was caused by a heating unit on Wednesday. 

Fire crews were called to a Motel 7 on the East Freeway and Mercury Drive after midnight. Fire officials said one room on the second floor suffered smoke damage. 

According to investigators, a woman had turned on the heater. It then started smoking. She and a child got out safely. 

Maintenance workers put the fire out using a hand fire extinguisher. Firefighters sprayed the room with water as a precaution.