Firefighters Injured While Battling Apartment Fire in Vacant Units, No Residents Displaced

According to a KSAT News report, a Northeast-side apartment fire caused two firefighters to be injured last week.

SAFD reported the fire started at around 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 15th, at an apartment complex in the 200 block of Rainbow Drive, near Austin Highway. The cause of the fire was unknown, but it started in a vacant unit, spread to another vacant unit, and caused significant damage to both. Two firefighters were injured while responding to the fire when a stairwell collapsed. One suffered a leg injury, and the other suffered a burn injury to the chest and face. Both were taken to the hospital as a precaution. No other injuries were reported—SAFD had the fire extinguished within 20 minutes.

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Did You Know?

There are roughly 11,421 home fires involving grills, hibachis, or barbecues across the U.S. each year.

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Memorial Day Weekend Grill Fires: Safety Tips and What to Do If You’re Burned

Memorial Day Weekend is just around the corner—marking the unofficial start of summer and a time to honor those who’ve served. It’s also one of the most popular weekends for cookouts in Texas and across the U.S.

But while we’re firing up the grill and enjoying time with family and friends, it’s important to remember that grill fires spike this time of year—and can lead to serious injuries. In fact, May is the third-highest month for grill fires, following June and July.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), grill fires cause:

• An average of 2 civilian deaths

• 176 injuries

• Over $170 million in property damage annually

Tragically, young children under 5 are most at risk, making up 46% of grill-related injuries.

Fire Safety Tips for a Safe Memorial Day Cookout:

The NFPA offers these critical tips to help you grill safely and avoid injury this weekend:

• Check your propane grill for leaks before using it for the first time this season. (Here’s a video from NFPA on how to check for leaks.)

• Clean your grill regularly to remove grease or fat buildup, especially on trays and under the grates.

• Place the grill away from your home, deck railings, and anything that could catch fire—like overhanging branches or awnings.

• Keep your gas grill lid open before lighting it.

• Keep kids and pets at least 3 feet away from the grill while it’s in use.

• Only use charcoal starter fluid (never gasoline or other flammable liquids), and let coals cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container.

• Never leave your grill unattended while it’s on.

What to Do If You’re Burned at a Memorial Day Party:

Even if you take every precaution, accidents can still happen—especially if you’re on someone else’s property. If you or a loved one is injured in a grill fire this Memorial Day, take these steps:

1. Call 9-1-1 Immediately
   Fires spread fast. Contact emergency services right away to report the incident and request medical help.

2. Seek Medical Attention
   Even seemingly minor burns can become serious—especially in children. Let paramedics decide whether a hospital visit is necessary.

3. Document the Scene
   If it’s safe, take pictures of the injury, the grill setup, and anything that might show how the fire started.

4. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
   If the injury was caused by negligence or a defective grill or product, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.

Burned at a Memorial Day Party? Call Shaw!

If you or your child were burned at a Memorial Day Party, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:

• Ambulance Costs,
• ER Treatment,
• Surgeries,
• Medical Bills,
• Pain and Suffering,
• Trauma/PTSD,
• Missed Work,
• Disfigurement,
• Wrongful Death,
• And More.

We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.

Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced burn injury lawyer in San Antonio. There are no fees and no obligations attached—just the expert legal advice you need. Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in San Antonio and across Texas for over 32 years because we put our clients first.

We look forward to serving you.

 

¹KSAT Report

²NFPA on Memorial Day Fire Safety