News From The Gulf Coast of Texas
Blaze at high-rise indicates challenges
August 25th, 2008By Allan Turner, The Houston Chronicle
From her 25th floor apartment in the Greenway Condominiums, Pam Singer had a killer view. Downtown’s spires, the Galleria, Allen Parkway and the meandering bayou — all formed the backdrop for the life the retired clothing boutique owner serenely shared with her golden retriever, Louie.
Singer’s serenity recently was shattered, though, when a fire alarm sounded on the building’s upper floors, warning residents to get ready to evacuate. For frantic minutes, the partially paralyzed Singer, who relies on a motorized wheelchair, wondered if she would die. Read More »
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| Region: Gulf Coast
Rail car release prompts shelter-in-place order
August 25th, 2008Raw video and report by KHOU, Houston
A shelter-in-place order has been issued for businesses off Fairmont Parkway between Bay Area Boulevard and Highway 146 in the La Porte area. Reports from the scene indicate that a rail car is releasing chemicals into the air. Read More »
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| Region: Gulf Coast
2-Alarm Apartment Fire Forces Evacuation
August 24th, 2008By Carl Willis, KPRC, Houston
A west Houston apartment resident helped his neighbors evacuate Saturday when a two-alarm fire broke out, KPRC Local 2 reported. Read More »
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| Region: Gulf Coast
Car Engine Causes Fire
August 24th, 2008Reported by KHOU, Houston
A family in northeast Houston is lucky to alive after their apartment caught fire. Firefighters said the blaze started in the garage of their home around 10:00 p.m. They were able to extinguish the flames before it spread to the apartment. Read More »
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| Region: Gulf Coast
Fire breaks out at Pasadena ammunition manufacturing business
August 22nd, 2008Story and video report from The Houston Chronicle
Video report from KPRC, Houston
Reported by KHOU, Houston
Some Pasadena residents had a frightening start to their day Friday when a fire broke out at an ammunition manufacturing business in the 2700 block of Shaver before 5 a.m.
Officials say a worker at the business was melting lead to make bullets when his work station erupted in flames. The fire sent black powder and chemicals into the air. The worker got out safely and called the fire department.
When fire crews arrived, they worked furiously to get the blaze under control. As the fire burned, loud pops and bursts of sparks shot out of the building as the bullets inside exploded.
Authorities were concerned about the chemicals released by the fire, so they ordered the evacuation of a nearby apartment complex.
Once they determined the chemicals weren’t harmful, they allowed residents back into their homes.
The residents were safe, but in the dark. Authorities had to shut off their power when the fire broke out.
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| Region: Gulf Coast