A woman's body was found in the back bedroom of an East End home that caught fire overnight, according to the Houston Fire Department.
The fire, reported around 11:40 p.m. on Tuesday, occurred at a home located on the east side of Houston in the 5300 block of Clay near Lansing Street.
“I’m very saddened because she was my baby sister, and it’s just very sad."
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy flames at the front of the structure. Strong winds led to the rapid growth and extension of the fire, causing heavy damage to the entire home. The blaze then spread to a neighboring home where the flames melted siding and destroyed a car.
Family members identified the victim as 32-year-old Guadalupe Galvan, who was staying at the home with relatives. Officials say that two people escaped the home safely but that the flames were too intense for Galvan's rescue.
“I’m very saddened because she was my baby sister, and it’s just very sad,” Maria Valle told KHOU 11 News. “I’m going to miss her so much. She was going through a lot these past few weeks, so I know she’s in a better place right now, but I’m going to miss her.”
HFD announced that the Arson Bureau determined the fire to have been accidental.
The deadly blaze was so intense that a neighboring home was damaged and a car was destroyed.
