Three-Alarm Fire Erupts in Vacant North Houston Church Buildings

HOUSTON, TX – Houston Fire Department crews responded Monday afternoon to a large structure fire at a group of former church buildings near I-45 and Parker Road in north Houston. The fire quickly escalated to a three-alarm blaze due to the complexity of the scene and the connected nature of the structures.

At the peak of operations, approximately 100 firefighters worked to contain flames that spread through all three buildings. Crews laid more than 1,000 feet of 5-inch hose while managing water supply, traffic impacts, and rescue considerations.

Investigators believe the fire may have been started by individuals living inside the vacant buildings, potentially to keep warm during cold weather. The Houston Fire Department’s Arson Bureau is involved in the investigation, and a person of interest seen in the area is being tracked for further questioning.

Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz praised the professionalism of the crews, stating the coordinated response demonstrated the teamwork and expertise of HFD. Mayor John Whitmire and Chief Muñoz visited the scene to ensure firefighters had all necessary support during the challenging operation.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.