Michael Adkinson/ Houston Public Media
An apparent explosion at a downtown Houston high-rise has injured several people, according to the Houston Fire Department.
Brent Taylor, a HFD spokesperson, told Houston Public Media that the department responded to reports of a high-rise fire located near the intersection of Texas Avenue and Austin Street at approximately 11:08 a.m. Taylor said the building was under construction at the time of the apparent explosion and that several workers were injured.
“It appears to be an explosion up on one of the top floors of the building,” Taylor said. “We have multiple patients who are being transported to Memorial Herman in the Med Center with injuries, burn injuries, related to the explosion.”
Taylor said traffic will be impacted and that streets near the site will be closed.
“We’ll have HFD’s arson [department] investigating the cause and origin,” he said. “Our life and safety bureau is going to come out … and we’ve also requested Public Works building department inspectors as well.”
In a social media post, Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen asked drivers to avoid Texas, Caroline, San Jacinto and Austin Street. He recommended using Fannin Street or La Branch Street for southbound traffic.
The cause of the reported explosion has not yet been determined, but Taylor indicated it could have been a boiler. As of noon, there were no reports of fatalities.
This is a developing story.