HOUSTON – A Houston firefighter is fortunate to be uninjured after falling through the roof of a burning home Tuesday morning in southeast Houston.
According to the Houston Fire Department, crews responded to a house fire around 1:06 a.m. in the 5900 block of Glenhurst Drive near Martin Luther King Boulevard.
When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from a single-story home, with the fire believed to have started in the back corner of the house.
Officials say crews initially had difficulty getting inside due to window bars.
Crews went onto the roof to cut ventilation holes to release pressurized smoke. During that process, the roof suddenly gave way, sending one firefighter crashing through.
Authorities say a mayday call was issued, prompting a second alarm response.
The firefighter landed on his feet, falling directly into the seat of the fire, and attempted to find his way out. Crews were able to quickly locate him, knock down the flames, and safely pull him from the home.
He was evaluated by EMS at the scene and was not hurt.
No civilians were injured. Fire officials say they did not find anyone inside the home when they arrived, though a family with young children was seen outside.
The fire has since been put out. Investigators are working to determine what caused it.