Houston Firefighters Rescue Man in House Fire

Firefighters rescued a man Friday who was trapped inside the burning east Houston home that he shared with his sister and nephew.

The blaze broke out about 4:15 p.m. at the home in the 8600 block of Candy.

“There was a lot of smoke. You could see smoke from a long way away,” said District Chief Ric Hoppas with the Houston Fire Department.

The front section of the small brick home was engulfed in flames when the fire crews arrived.

“As we got closer, we got reports of victims,” Hoppas said.

Joyce Robertson and her adult son, who also lived there, were able to escape. Still trapped inside was her brother, identified by family members as David Ray Willis.

Houston firefighters were able to make their way to Willis, officials said.

He was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital. HFD officials said Willis appeared to have suffered from smoke inhalation.

“The victim was breathing and had a pulse. They did not have to do CPR,” Hoppas said.

Robertson, who has lived in the home since March 1957, was in her bedroom Friday afternoon when she heard a strange popping sound.

“Then I smelled the smoke and saw smoke,” she said. “I said, ‘Come on. We’re getting ready to go.’ “

Robertson and her son weren’t able to help her brother, who has physical difficulties. She gave thanks to the Houston firefighters for saving him.

“They’re great. Yes indeed,” she said. “The main thing is we got out.”

The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes. The cause remains under investigation, but firefighters at the scene said they have no indication that it may have been suspicious.