5 blazes hit apartments, homes in area

Five fires broke out across the Houston area overnight at apartments and homes but didn’t cause any serious injuries.

A two-alarm fire started shortly after 3 a.m. at an apartment on Veterans Memorial Drive, drawing eight fire engines, four ladder trucks and other support equipment, according to Deputy Fire Chief Mike Sangl.

Two residents were treated for minor burns to their hands but did not want to be taken to the hospital, Sangl said. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Four apartments also were damaged around 9:30 p.m. at an apartment complex near South Kirkwood Road and Overbrook Lane. The fire started in the bathroom of an upstairs unit, but all residents were able to make it out safely, authorities said.

A house fire near Victoria and Lathrop began an hour later. The fire started in the attic due to faulty wiring, but the family made it out of the residence without any injuries, according to authorities.

A fire also occurred around 2:45 a.m. Saturday at a home on Shirley Lane. The owner reportedly rigged wiring to bypass the electric meter in the back of the house. The rigged wiring shorted and caused a fire to start inside the attic, authorities said.

HFD Arson and Centerpoint Energy were able to resecure the wiring and meter but will pursue charges against the owner for theft and tampering with the electric meter, according to authorities.

A heater also sparked a fire around 1 a.m. at an apartment complex on Cook near Sharpview.