A suspicious early morning fire destroyed part of a popular Reliant-area nightclub, damaging several nearby businesses and launching an arson investigation led by the Houston Fire Department (HFD)
The blaze broke out at Azul Lounge (9880 Buffalo Speedway) around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, according to HFD spokesperson Jay Evans. Firefighters stationed near the Texas Medical Center arrived at the scene within four minutes and quickly subdued the fire. The crew immediately questioned the pattern of the flames.
"The fire appeared to be on the outside of the building when our officers first arrived. Very often, that's a sign of arson."
"The fire appeared to be on the outside of the building when our officers first arrived," Evans tells CultureMap. "Very often, that's a sign of arson."
A number of businesses in the shopping center, including a Mattress Firm, appear to have suffered minor smoke damage as well.
With much of the damage centered at the front corner of the club near the patio, co-owner Coye Devrouax told KTRK Ch. 13 he hopes to reopen within the month.
"It was definitely an up-and-coming lounge," he said. "[It's] the only one in the Reliant area and we had great clientele. Devrouax also noted he has not received threats and has no idea who would have set his business ablaze.
