Easter BBQ Sparks West Houston Huge Apartment Fire

HOUSTON, TX — A Sunday afternoon Easter barbecue on the patio of one the units at the Bennington Square Apartments sparked a large fire that engulfed both floors of the two-story building. The fire cause an estimated $340,000 in damage to nine units. It also charred four vehicles and left one firefighter getting treated on the scene for exhaustion.

Firefighters arrived on scene around 5:46 p.m. on April 1 to find fire coming from the first and second floor balconies of the 9-unit apartment building. The fire was contained with crews from HFD Stations 21, 48, 51, 59, 68, 73 and 82 responding to the incident. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the nine displaced families. The apartment owner was also on scene to assist the families.

HFD cleared the scene at 10:40 p.m.

The Houston Fire Department sent a reminder to citizens to be extra vigilant in activities that may lead to fires, including improper use of a barbeque pit or improper disposal of barbeque coals, ashes or briquettes and carelessly discarded smoking materials.

Barbeque Grill Safety Tips:

• Portable barbecue pits, charcoal grills and other open-flame cooking devices outside of a building should not be operated on combustible balconies or located within 10 feet of combustible walls or roofs or other combustible materials.
• When igniting the barbecue charcoal, citizens should use a charcoal lighter, not gasoline. Gasoline can flash violently in and around the pit causing serious injuries to anyone in the area of the flash. A fire extinguisher or charged garden hose should be handy while the fire is burning. Check the pit frequently to insure that it is okay.
• Hot ash and coals from barbecue pits and charcoal burners should be placed in a non-combustible container until cooled or thoroughly saturated with water, before being disposed of.

Photo via Shutterstock / Wattanachon Kongt