Person found dead inside burned home in Houston's north side nearly 2 weeks ago, authorities say

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A person's body was found inside a burned home in Houston's north side on Thursday, nearly two weeks after a fire tore through the structure, according to authorities.

Residents in the area are now questioning whether first responders searched the property properly after the blaze.

According to the Houston Fire Department, firefighters were called to the home on 2814 Terry Street around 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 18 for a house fire.

The fire was intense enough to damage the home next door.

The woman who says she owns the home told ABC13 that no one has lived there in years, but that there have been problems with homeless people sheltering inside and starting fires.

Residents say it was cold that morning when the house fire started. ABC13 meteorologists forecasted a low of 49 degrees that day.

Shortly after the fire was put out, residents in the area say they began to notice a bad smell.

At noon on Oct. 29, Houston police say they were called to the home because of the smell and found a body inside.

No agency has said whether foul play is suspected or how long the body may have been on the property.

The person's identity, gender, and cause of death are pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

HFD's arson division is also investigating the fire's cause.

ABC13 asked the Houston Fire Department whether crews searched the property after the fire. The fire department has not yet responded to Eyewitness News.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.

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