A raging fire that broke out Wednesday at an apartment complex in west Houston left 16 units completely destroyed and five people injured, local authorities reported.

The fire, classified as a 211 alarm, started around 8:33 am in Building 34 of the residential complex The first crews from the Houston Fire Department (HFD) arrived on the scene just four minutes after the initial call. More than 100 firefighters participated in the containment efforts, while several residents were rescued amid dramatic scenes. Two people jumped from a second-story window before emergency crews arrived; maintenance personnel placed a sofa to break their fall. Two other residents were evacuated by rescuers. Four people suffered smoke inhalation, two of whom were transported to local hospitals. A fifth victim suffered a non-fire-related injury and was taken to West Houston Hospital. A firefighter was also treated at the scene for a minor ailment and did not require hospitalization. Wind is believed to have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames, although the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Some neighbors claimed not to have heard the smoke alarms, a claim that authorities have not yet confirmed. The Red Cross was contacted to provide support to the affected families, while municipal teams completed the removal and rehabilitation work. The fire was declared completely extinguished at 10:00 a.m. Prevention Campaign Ahead of the Cold Season. Following the incident, the Houston Fire Department reminded residents that fires related to the use of heating systems increase during the colder months of the year. Therefore, it announced a citywide fire safety awareness campaign focused on checking smoke detectors, maintaining electrical equipment, and home evacuation plans. Authorities asked citizens to avoid the disaster area while operations continue and urged caution when using heat sources inside homes.