CROSBY Firefighter Kevin Barker may well have saved a resident last Saturday when he braved a fence, a dog and a locked door to get the man out of his smoking house.
On his way to work the Crosby Volunteer Fireman saw a neighbors house smoking at about 4:28 p.m. on August 6. Barker was bitten three time by the dog and had to knock down the door to get a man out of a house that was about to erupt into flames.
Neighbors say Jerome Ulrich had lived at the residence for decades.
Harris County Fire Marshals investigated the blaze and determined that there was cause to do an extensive investigation. The fire may have started in as many as three locations. An arrest for trespassing was done by Harris County Sheriffs Deputies of a couple found to be dwelling nearby behind the residence. The Harris County Fire Marshals Office were going to interview the couple however the initial contact Sunday morning found the two incapacitated. On Monday, they declined to speak to investigators without legal representation.
First Assistant Chief Russell White said that Barkers injuries were not extensive and he was treated at the scene. Another fireman was said to have suffered heat prostration battling the blaze and was treated and released by Methodist Hospital San Jacinto. Ulrich was not injured.
According to White, Crosby Volunteer Fire Dept. has determined it was a two alarm blaze because we thought several times we had knocked the fire out but it got into the attic with plenty of fuel throughout the structure. We had to add to our efforts several times.
The crews were on hand far past the 7:30 tap out however, the FM 1942 was closed throughout the combat of the blaze. Thereafter as law enforcement and the Fire Marshals probe there was limited passage as fire trucks and first responder vehicles were on the scene.