Firefighters are battling a massive blaze at a business in west Houston and the city has issued an alert over the release of hazardous material.
The 4-alarm fire broke out about 10:50 a.m. in the 1700 block of Laverne near Spring Branch Drive in Spring Branch, according to the Houston Fire Department.
All students at nearby Spring Branch Elementary School have been evacuated on buses to Don Coleman Coliseum at 1050 North Dairy Ashford, said officials with the Spring Branch Independent School District.
A shelter in place order has been issued for the area north of Westview, west of Bingle, south of Hammerly and east of Blalock.
Officials are urging residents to stay inside, close all windows and doors and turn off air conditioning units.
An employee with COIT Carpet Cleaning’s corporate office in Fort Lauderdale, which has a location across the street from the massive fire, says that that street and surrounding businesses have been evacuated.
Officials said no injuries have been reported.
Dark smoke could be seen billowing into the sky for miles.
