A late-night blaze in Denton turned tragic on Wednesday, leaving one person dead and another hospitalized with severe burns.
The fire broke out around 11:30 p.m. on Houston Place, near the University of North Texas, and quickly escalated to a two-alarm emergency, reported CBS News. Firefighters arrived to find flames consuming the front of the home and two residents trapped inside.
The Denton Fire Department reported that rescue efforts were immediate, but the intensity of the fire complicated their mission. Neighbors watched in horror as thick smoke billowed into the night sky, marking a somber scene in this typically quiet neighborhood.
Emergency responders managed to pull both victims from the burning home, but their conditions were dire. According to Denton FD spokesperson David Boots, a 103-year-old man succumbed to his injuries on Thursday morning. The second victim, an older woman, was airlifted to a specialized burn center for treatment. Her current condition remains unclear, adding an unsettling uncertainty to the tragedy.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigators are sifting through the debris for clues.
Preliminary reports suggest that structural or electrical factors might have fueled the intensity of the flames, though officials have not confirmed any specific cause. This incident has underscored the importance of maintaining working smoke detectors, especially as the winter brings increased house fire risks.
“We never expect something like this to happen so close to home,” a neighbor remarked, reflecting the shared disbelief, per CBS News.