South Side home declared a total loss after blaze

Houston Fire Department firefighters extinguished a residential fire at 5601 Milart Street Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, in Houston. Houston Fire Department firefighters extinguished a residential fire at 5601 Milart Street Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, in Houston. Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Staff Photographer Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close South Side home declared a total loss after blaze 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

A blaze destroyed a home in Houston’s South Side early Thursday, according to the Houston Fire Department.

Three residents at the house in the 5600 block of Milart, close to Griggs Road and MLK Boulevard, woke up to the smell of smoke around 3:30 a.m. and called firefighters.

The fire started somewhere in the back of the property, District Chief James Watson said, but it’s unclear whether it started in the detached garage or the rear of the home.

The garage burned up, and several cars lit on fire. The home itself was a total loss, Watson said.

The residents didn’t have smoke detectors.

“They were very fortunate,” the chief said.

One firefighter was treated on the scene for minor burns to his hand.

It’s unknown what started the fire. Arson is investigating.