TX FFs Rescue 12 from Apartment Complex

Jul. 11—The nighttime routines of Serena Woods Apartments residents were interrupted by the crash of a falling tree demolishing their outside stairwell last night.

Spring Fire Department Ladder 74 C-Shift crew Captain Walter Juarez, Apparatus Operator Tyler Crane, and firefighters Jordan Hendricks and Keenan Roche responded to the call shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday, July 10.

The call was one of 24 received between 8:51 and 11:59 p.m., most of which were related to the inclement weather, Juarez said. Even for a stormy night, the call volume was high.

"Anytime it rains, we'll get a surge in calls but not 24 in a span of three hours," Juarez said.

With the stairs crushed by the tree, a dozen people were trapped in their apartment units.

The crew arrived with the ladder apparatus, which had only recently been moved to Station 74. This was the first time the crew used the ladder truck for a rescue.

"About two weeks ago it went into service," Juarez said. "From then until now we've been training to use the ladder for rescues. This is the first time we've used it in a situation like this."

The team successfully evacuated the 12 people from their balconies including a pregnant woman, children, along with several pets.

Though Harris County ESD 11's Medic 410 was on standby at the site, there were no reported injuries.

"The firefighters performed the rescue to the best of their ability, and they did a great job," Juarez said.

According to the department, residents have been placed in temporary units while the stairs are reconstructed.

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