3 injured in 13th-floor fire at high-rise condominiums in Champion Forest, officials say

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Authorities say three people were injured in a high-rise structure fire at a retirement apartment complex in northwest Harris County on Wednesday afternoon.

Officials said the incident happened at the Timber Top Condominiums on Champion Forest Drive near Cypresswood Drive at about 3 p.m. Klein Fire Department Chief Michael Gonzales said the fire broke out on a 13th-floor balcony and was contained to that one unit.

The resident of that 13th-floor unit was downstairs when another resident alerted the apartment manager of a fire, investigators said.

The manager and the unit resident hurried upstairs and were reportedly met with smoke and flames. The manager then pulled the resident to safety, and an emergency response system was activated.

Fire crews from the Klein, Champions, Little York, Cypress Creek, and Spring Fire Departments responded to the fire and conducted a search, floor by floor and unit by unit, to help residents evacuate.

The Klein Fire Department said three people were injured. Two of them were hospitalized, and one was treated at the scene.

Fire crews said the fire was extinguished at about 3:20 p.m., leaving behind heavy smoke and water damage to the balcony and part of the living space.

The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.