HOUSTON – A deadly house fire in northwest Harris County has sparked a difficult question: Are burglar bars protecting homes or putting residents at greater risk?
The fire, which broke out at a home on Reddings Spring Lane, claimed the life of a 4-year-old girl. She and her mother were trapped upstairs and found unconscious by firefighters.
First responders said two factors stood out during their rescue efforts: The absence of smoke detectors and the presence of burglar bars, which made it challenging to enter the home. Firefighters had to cut through the bars to gain access.
Victor Ross, the owner of Samson Steele Burglar Bars has been in the burglar bar business for 50 years, he discussed options to keep homes secure while allowing quick emergency access.
“We build the burglar bar, and then we take a plate like this, we clean it up real clean, weld it to the bar, and then we put a lock typical like this. Each of these locks will lock a burglar bar. No keys involved. Simply lock it and then unlock it,” Ross explained.
He noted there are various locking options, including keyless and keyed locks, and said existing burglar bars can be modified to improve safety.
“We go to their home, take a look at what they have, make recommendations, and show pictures of different kinds of locks we could put on their bars,” Ross said. Modifications typically cost around $200 but vary case by case.
The Harris County Fire Marshal’s office does not recommend burglar bars but acknowledges some homeowners want them for security.
“We don’t recommend them at all, but if you want them there for your safety, we want to make sure you feel safe in your home,” said Brandi Dumas, a Harris County fire marshal spokesman.
The fire marshal’s office does not have authority to regulate private residential property regarding burglar bars though.
As for the family affected by the fire, the mother remains in critical condition at the hospital. The father, 2-year-old, and 6-year-old were treated for minor injuries. Two other family members escaped safely.