Firefighter hospitalized with heat exhaustion after battling blaze in southeast Houston, HFD says

HOUSTON – A firefighter was transported to the hospital after putting out a housefire in southeast Houston Wednesday, officials with the Houston Fire Department said.

Firefighters received reports about a house fire near the 5000 block of Dumore around 4:30 a.m.

Elvis Wilkerson said his neighbor and best friend called him to let him know his home was on fire. According to Wilkerson, multiple people tried to help his friend put out the blaze before officials showed up, but they were unsuccessful.

“We tried water hoses but when the first propane tank lit, we all evacuated, got out the way. By that time, the fire department showed up,” Wilkerson said. “Told him to just get out of the house. He ran through the backside, he saw the fire and came out the front. He came around. Once we got him, we tried to fight but it was too far gone.”

When firefighters arrived at the scene, they began performing an offensive attack to put the blaze out.

According to HFD, one firefighter was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital to be treated for heat exhaustion. He is reportedly in stable condition.

Wilkerson’s neighbor was able to escape safely, HFD said.

Arson investigators were at the scene to determine what caused the fire.

Drivers were urged to avoid the area due to heavy emergency traffic.


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