Mother of 3 helps families escape large fire possibly caused by ruptured gas line in Second Ward

HOUSTON – A mother of three was credited for helping her family and neighbors escape a large fire that broke out at a duplex in Second Ward early Sunday.

Officials with the Houston Fire Department responded to the fire at a four-unit duplex in the 100 block of Everton Street near Sherman Street at around 4 a.m.

Andrea Rodriguez, a mother of three who lived in the area, told KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun that she was returning to work when she saw the flames.

“When I pulled up, the fire was barely starting, and my family [were sleeping] right there at the top of the second floor,” Rodriguez said. “That’s when I got upstairs and got everyone out. My kids and everything.”

Several families, including Rodriguez’s neighbors, were able to escape with her help.

“A lot of things came to my mind. I just thought about my kids, and my mother. I wasn’t worried about anything...” she added. “Just my kids, my mother, and my neighbors, that’s it.”

Firefighters believe a ruptured gas line may have caused the fire. The scene is still under investigation.

No injuries were reported.

Family members have created a GoFundMe account. To donate, click here.