San Antonio firefighters contain North Side apartment fire near airport; resident hospitalized after second-floor escape

What happened

San Antonio firefighters responded late Tuesday night to a fire at a North Side apartment complex near San Antonio International Airport, with crews arriving to reports of flames on the first and second floors. The incident began around 9:30 p.m. in the 3900 block of Barrington Street, near Starcrest Drive, an area of multifamily housing a short drive from the airport and Northeast Loop 410.

Fire crews were able to contain the blaze to one or two apartment units during the initial attack, while continuing to check for extension and extinguish hot spots. Officials indicated additional units were being evaluated for smoke, water or fire impacts as the scene was stabilized.

Injuries and resident rescue

One resident was taken to a hospital after jumping from a second-floor unit to escape the fire. Two other people were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. Emergency responders also carried out a rescue of a teenager who was inside one of the affected apartments when the incident unfolded.

Damage and immediate impacts

The fire left at least some affected apartments without utility service as crews worked with property management on next steps. Observations at the scene indicated multiple buildings within the complex showed visible damage, suggesting the incident’s effects extended beyond the unit of origin even as crews focused suppression efforts on the main fire area.

Investigation and early cause indicators

The cause remained under investigation as fire officials worked to determine how the flames started and whether building systems or resident activity contributed to ignition and spread. Early indications from fire officials pointed to unattended cooking as a possible factor, but an official cause had not been finalized.

Why apartment fires can escalate quickly

Fire officials regularly warn that fires in multifamily buildings can move rapidly beyond the apartment of origin when flames extend into concealed spaces such as wall voids and attic areas, or when smoke migrates through shared ventilation and hallways. Even when the fire footprint is limited, smoke and water damage can render additional units temporarily uninhabitable and lead to power and gas shutoffs as a safety precaution.

• Time of call: about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday
• Location: 3900 block of Barrington Street on San Antonio’s North Side, near the airport area
• Reported injuries: one hospitalized after jumping from the second floor; two treated on scene for smoke inhalation
• Status: contained; cause under investigation, with unattended cooking cited as an early indicator

Residents displaced or impacted by smoke or utility shutoffs were directed to coordinate with property management and responding agencies for housing and recovery assistance.