Overview
- The fire began just after midnight Monday at the Deluxe Inn on Truxillo Street, crews arrived within three to four minutes, and roughly 20 units sustained smoke or fire damage.
- Two guests were hospitalized after evacuating the building, one in critical condition with major burns and smoke inhalation and the other in stable condition with burns and smoke inhalation.
- Houston Fire Department arson investigators are on scene and have brought accelerant-detection canine teams to determine how the blaze started.
- Firefighters said the motel’s older design — each room with a single door and windows set about six feet high — made escape and firefighting operations harder.
- The American Red Cross is helping displaced guests, the exact number of people affected is unknown, and officials say victim care and the cause investigation remain ongoing.