Second blaze in month hits unit

A fire in southwest Houston damaged 14 apartment units and displaced several residents Saturday, just one month after a hearing-impaired man died in a fire at the same complex.

The fire started around noon at the Glen Willow Apartments on South Post Oak and Willowbend after a resident turned his heater on. Red Cross was on site to help displaced residents, none of whom were injured, according to authorities.

Resident Barry Mitchell was in his apartment with his grandchildren when he smelled smoke. He went to check and saw flames in his walls.

He said he’s been complaining about the wiring in his air conditioning unit for weeks.

The two-alarm fire spread through the attic of the two-story building, Houston Fire Department officials said.

“It was difficult to get water back there. They worked hard and managed to get it out,” HFD’s Russell Chris said. “There were no fire walls. It continued to race down the whole apartment building.”

A month ago a hearingimpaired man died in a fire in the same complex, officials said.

HFD said the inspection department was brought out after the Jan. 10 fire left one man dead.

In that case, a man died of smoke inhalation after a fire sparked in his apartment. The hearing-impaired man was found on the floor in his bedroom closet.