HOUSTON – Houston firefighters were battling a three-alarm fire that destroyed multiple businesses at a shopping center in northeast Houston Thursday.
Firefighters responded to what was initially called a “structure fire” at 9011 Jensen Dr. around 1:10 a.m.
Officials said they arrived and located a fire in a vacant portion of a strip mall. Firefighters said there was a structural collapse of portions of the building. No injuries were reported.
“The fire was able to expand to different businesses before we were able to even get any reports of it,” said Martee Boose with the Houston Fire Department.
Two other businesses, including the Dollar General and a Beauty Supply Shop, were damaged. A historic movie theater was untouched.
“With a strip center this large, it took a lot of firefighter hours and strength in order to put it out,” said Boose.
It was a scary morning for residents, including Diana Loredo, who lives right behind the shopping center.
“The flames were really high. There was a big cloud of smoke. Just incontrollable,” said Loredo.
She shot cell phone video as her family evacuated.
“We saw when the wall fell on our side, it was really bad, we thought it was actually gonna catch the trees on fire,” said Loredo.
As arson investigators tried to determine what caused the violent fire, Loredo was grateful.
“We were able to get out, all of our neighbors were able to get out and I guess that’s what’s most important that none of us were harmed in the place,” said Loredo.