HOUSTON — A stubborn attic fire that ignited just after 9 p.m. Monday burned inside a concealed void space of a Tall Oaks Street mansion, eventually causing the roof to collapse, according to Village Fire Department Chief Croft.
Fire crews were dispatched minutes after 9 p.m. when the homeowners reported smoke and flames coming from the ceiling of a bathroom. “The homeowner saw something in the bathroom and smoke and fire coming out of the ceiling,” Chief Croft said. Firefighters entered the home using thermal cameras to locate hotspots before advancing hose lines toward the attic.
Once inside, crews discovered the fire had spread into a hidden void between an older flat roof and a pitched roof added during a remodeling project. Chief Croft said the space was sealed with a metal roof, heavy wood decking and double‑thick wood and stucco walls, making access extremely difficult. “There was no way to access the fire,” he said. Firefighters used saws and considerable manpower to reach the concealed flames.
The fire continued burning inside the void long enough to compromise the structure. The crew was forced to back out for safety when the roof collapsed inward. After the collapse, firefighters regained control and poured more water onto the fire, eventually knocking down the main flames. Crews were still working around 2 a.m. to extinguish hotspots and locate any remaining burning material…