Firefighters remain at scene of burned Port Neches home

The Port Neches Fire Department remains on the scene of a fire that burned through an 8,000 square foot, three story home owned by a well known cardiologist in Port Neches.
The fire was reported at about 6 p.m. at 415 Kings Row in Windsor Estates, off Saba Lane in Port Neches. The home is owned by Dr. Pradip Morbia, a cardiologist in Jefferson County.

Investigators told KFDM News they believe the fire started in the attic but they haven’t determined the cause. Firefighters from Port Neches worked the fire with assistance from Groves, Nederland and Port Arthur firefighters. They remained on the scene throughout the night and morning putting out the remaining flames and extinguishing hot spots.

“The big thing is, it’s not like a normal structure because of its size,” Capt. Larry Singleton with the Port Neches Fire Department told KFDM News early Thursday morning. “Normally we can get inside. There is free-standing chimney, about 80 feet tall, and the front brick walls, ready to collapse. Part of the home has already collapsed. The home is so high that wherever you are inside, you’re in danger. We had to remain outside and use ladder trucks to stay above the flames. It’s the largest structure fire we’ve ever fought in Port Neches.”

6 News anchor Bill Leger spoke with Dr. Morbia at the scene. The doctor told Bill his wife was the only one in the home and she got out safely. He said his home represented only material things. All he wanted was for his wife to get out safely and she did.

Bill asked Dr. Morbia if there’s anything he’d like to say to his patients. He vowed to be at work Thursday, seeing his patients at 8:15 a.m. as he always does.
By Scott Lawrence at KFDM News, Port Arthur Beaumont
Report from The Beaumont Enterprise

Raw video from KFDM News, Beaumont Port Arthur