HOUSTON – A raging fire at the Westmount at Braesridge apartments has left residents shaken, including Laura Vanlandingham, who is waiting to find out if her home is a total loss.
KPRC 2 News reporter Corley Peel spoke with Vanlandingham at the scene. She shared that she has not yet been able to enter her apartment. She said this is the second time she has experienced an apartment fire that destroyed everything she owned.
Friday’s fire was captured on Vanlandingham’s cell phone moments after she escaped.
“What I heard was the fire alarm going off, and when I walked outside my apartment, it was all hazy, smoky. Then I turned around and saw a raging fire on the third floor,” Vanlandingham said.
When asked what she did next, she replied simply, “Freaked out.”
As she watched the flames, fellow residents rushed to her side.
Vanlandingham said the fire brought back painful flashbacks from the previous fire she endured.
“I was having flashbacks from the previous fire I’ve been through. It was bringing back that experience, and they could see I was having issues,” she explained.
She praised her neighbors for their support.
“Oh yeah, the neighbors here are really great. They all look out for each other,” she said.
Vanlandingham also shared that her apartment serves as her office since she works from home. Now, she is unsure if anything inside can be saved.
“I can pretty much say it’s going to have smoke damage and probably water damage,” she said.
When asked about her next steps, Vanlandingham said, “I have no idea. I’m still processing. All I know is Sunday I’m getting on a flight. That’s my next step.”
She added that she doesn’t yet know what her plan will be after returning home from the holidays.
Red Cross representatives were seen at the scene speaking with residents about available resources to help those affected by the fire.