Channelview fire victims looking for homes

After a five-alarm fire that was started by a window air conditioner ravaged a Channelview apartment building last Friday, 100+ tenants are searching for shelter. Although about 20 of the 80 units were untouched by the fire, the entire complex is without running water and electricity, leaving many people wondering what to do and where to go.

A temporary shelter was set up after the fire, but was closed on Sunday because it was no longer needed. Many tenants have been relocated to other apartments or hotels thanks to the American Red Cross. One tenant who spoke to the Chronicle said that she and her family had put their belongings in storage and are still without a place to stay. This seems to be the situation that many of the former tenants are finding themselves in, but several organizations have moved in to help out. Residents whose apartments weren't damaged by the fire are also available for aid. A fence was also erected around the damaged building as a safety precaution. Many tenants and volunteers were concerned about looters immediately after the fire.

The building's owner declined to comment when contacted by the Chronicle. He did, however, speak to KHOU briefly. County officials said that it is up to apartment complex owners to calculate the minimum volume of water that might be needed to fight an apartment fire. Currently, no county department is looking into apartment complexes that were built before new fire codes took effect in 2006, and they are not able to enforce any codes or rules retroactively.

Donations of household items can be dropped off at Old River Terrace United Methodist Church, while St. Andrew Catholic Church has opened a food pantry for the victims. The Table Resell Store and the North Bay Area Red Cross branch office in Baytown are still working to provide victims with basic necessities, like clothing and shelter.