West Side apartment fire damages second-floor units, displaces 11 residents; investigators assess possible candle ignition

Fire breaks out before dawn near Highway 90

A pre-dawn apartment fire on San Antonio’s West Side prompted a large emergency response Monday, displacing residents from multiple units as investigators worked to determine how the blaze started.

The fire was reported shortly after 3:30 a.m. in the 7600 block of West Highway 90, near Lackland Air Force Base. When crews arrived, flames were active on the building’s second floor. Firefighters initiated suppression operations and called a second alarm, a step used to bring additional personnel and equipment when conditions warrant. The additional alarm was later canceled as crews gained control.

Fire controlled within minutes; residents evacuated

Fire officials said the blaze was brought under control in less than 20 minutes. No injuries were reported among residents, but one firefighter was evaluated and transported to a hospital with an unspecified injury that officials described as not critical or life-threatening.

Authorities said 11 people from six apartment units were displaced. The extent of damage to the building had not been fully detailed early in the investigation, but the response indicates a fire significant enough to affect habitability across several homes.

Investigation focuses on origin and cause

Investigators were called to examine the scene and determine the official cause. Early information from police indicated the fire may have been caused by a candle, but officials emphasized that a formal determination would be made by fire investigators after reviewing physical evidence and witness information.

In cases where an open flame is suspected, investigators typically seek to confirm the fire’s area of origin, evaluate burn patterns, and account for how quickly heat and smoke spread through the structure. Those findings can influence decisions about repairs, long-term displacement and potential code or safety follow-ups.

Traffic impacts and immediate aftermath

The response temporarily affected traffic along Highway 90. Some eastbound lanes were closed while fire crews worked, a common safety measure to create space for apparatus, protect firefighters operating near moving vehicles, and allow access for additional units.

• Location: 7600 block of West Highway 90, West Side

• Time reported: just after 3:30 a.m.

• Fire location: second floor of the apartment building

• Displacement: 11 people from six units

• Injuries: none reported among residents; one firefighter hospitalized with a non-life-threatening injury

Officials said the cause remains under investigation, with an initial belief that a candle may have played a role, pending an official finding.

The investigation was ongoing, and officials indicated additional details could be released as the scene assessment and interviews are completed.