HOUSTON, Texas – A deadly fire at the Independence Hall Senior Living Apartments on Wednesday night has once again brought attention to longstanding safety and maintenance issues at the affordable housing complex.
Authorities say a 74-year-old man was killed and three others were injured in the fire.
The fire comes nearly a year after KPRC 2 Investigates first reported on hazardous living conditions at the complex, many of which predated the May derecho that damaged several apartments.
Residents and city officials have repeatedly raised concerns about leaks, mold, and general disrepair at the complex.
The situation was so dire last May that Houston Mayor John Whitmire visited the property.
“We’re discussing the criminal neglect, the abandonment of the owner, and people living in these conditions,” Whitmire said at the time.
Following the derecho, the city conducted a life safety inspection and cited the property for several violations, including allowing flammable garbage to accumulate and failing to clearly mark fire hydrants and gas shut-off valves.
According to Brent Taylor with the mayor’s office, the property was given a period to address the issues, and as of August 2024, the city says those deficiencies had been remedied.
But for longtime residents like Richard Taylor, who has lived at Independence Hall for 17 years, problems persist.
“There are all sorts of problems, everything breaking down, but this was the only place I could find that had concrete ramps in the event of a fire,” Richard Taylor said. He added that infestations, particularly mice, remain a constant issue.
City officials have not yet released the cause of Wednesday’s fire.
The incident has renewed calls from residents and advocates for stricter oversight and more frequent inspections of senior living facilities, especially those serving vulnerable populations.
