1 Dead, 13 Hurt in Spring Apartment Fire; Resident Charged With Felony Murder

What Happened at the Cypresswood Apartments?

A fast-moving fire tore through the Cypresswood Apartments in the 4600 block of Cypresswood Drive near Kuykendahl in Spring, an unincorporated part of Harris County, in the early hours of Monday, July 20, 2026, according to KPRC Click2Houston and ABC13/KTRK. The Klein Fire Department and crews from several other agencies were on scene before 2 a.m.

The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office said one resident, 40-year-old Andrew Atwater, was trapped inside. Firefighters worked to free him, performed CPR, and rushed him to a hospital, where he later died. Thirteen other people were hurt — six were hospitalized, three of them in critical condition, while seven others were treated and released at the scene. The injured were spread across four area hospitals. One of the victims, a 3-year-old boy, was carried from the building by his father; both were hospitalized in critical condition with burns, and the child was flown by Life Flight to the Shriners Hospital burn unit for children. Officials said about 25 people lost their homes in the fire, and the American Red Cross is assisting displaced families.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office says the fire was not an accident. Investigators determined it was intentionally set by a resident of the unit, identified as Matthew Atwater, following an argument with a family member earlier that evening. Matthew Atwater — who lived in the apartment with Andrew Atwater and their mother — has been charged with felony murder, with arson as the underlying offense, and booked into the Harris County Jail. Officials said additional charges are possible, and the investigation remains active.

Who Can Be Affected?

A fire like this one touches far more people than the household where it started. Here, that includes:

• The family of Andrew Atwater — the spouse, children, or parents Texas law recognizes in a wrongful death case
• The 13 people injured, including the father and 3-year-old son who suffered critical burns escaping the building
• The roughly 25 residents who lost their homes and belongings, even if they were not physically injured
• Neighbors who had no connection to the family argument that authorities say led to the fire, but who were harmed by how quickly it spread through a shared building

What Kind of Claim Might Apply?

Attorneys who handle Texas apartment fire cases generally describe several paths that can apply once the facts are established:

• A wrongful death and survival claim — under Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of a person killed by another’s wrongful act can generally seek compensation for their losses, and the estate can bring a survival claim.
• Injury and property-loss claims for other residents — people hurt or displaced elsewhere in the building can generally seek compensation for medical care, lost income, and lost belongings from the parties whose conduct caused their harm.
• A possible premises liability claim against the property owner — Texas law requires landlords to install and maintain working smoke alarms in rental units, under Chapter 92 of the Texas Property Code. Attorneys who handle these cases typically look at whether smoke alarms, fire-rated walls and doors, and clear exits were in place and working, since that can affect how far and how fast a fire spreads through a shared building and how much warning residents get.
• The civil case is separate from the criminal case — the felony murder and arson charge against Matthew Atwater is a criminal matter pursued by the state. A civil claim for compensation is a separate track that injured residents, displaced neighbors, or a victim’s family can generally pursue on their own, regardless of how the criminal case ends.
• Deadlines — for most Texas injury and wrongful death claims, Section 16.003 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code sets a two-year statute of limitations, with limited exceptions.

A lawyer can obtain the fire marshal’s report, maintenance and inspection records for the smoke alarms and fire-safety systems, and photos or video from the scene, identify every insurance policy that may apply, and deal with the insurance companies so residents and families do not have to.

Why Acting Quickly Can Matter

Evidence at an apartment fire scene does not last. Damaged units are often cleaned out, repaired, or demolished within days or weeks, which can make it harder to document whether smoke alarms were present and working or how the fire and smoke moved through the building. Many people choose to have a lawyer preserving photos, records, and witness statements early, so nothing important is lost while residents focus on recovering and finding a new place to live.

Sources

1. KPRC Click2Houston — 1 dead, several injured in apartment fire in Spring
2. ABC13/KTRK — Man charged with felony murder after setting apartment fire, leaving 1 dead, 13 hurt, HCSO says
3. Texas Property Code, Chapter 92 (Residential Tenancies — smoke alarm requirements)
4. Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code, Chapter 71 (Wrongful Death; Survival)
5. Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code, Chapter 16 (Limitations)