Welding Sparks Small Roof Fire at McCullough Junior High in The Woodlands

THE WOODLANDS, TX – A small fire caused by construction work briefly disrupted the school day Thursday morning at McCullough Junior High School, but quick action by firefighters prevented serious damage and injuries.

At around 10 a.m. on January 8, The Woodlands Fire Department was dispatched to McCullough Junior High School, located at 3800 S. Panther Creek, after a reported fire. As crews arrived, school staff had already begun evacuating students as a precaution.

Firefighters were directed to the roof of the building, where welding work was underway as part of an ongoing school expansion project. Crews located a smoldering fire within the roof assembly. To fully access and extinguish the fire, firefighters cut into the roof, ensuring no hidden flames remained.

Additional crews checked the building for any fire extension and ventilated the second floor to clear smoke and odors. Once ventilation was complete and the building was deemed safe, students and staff were allowed to return inside.

The Woodlands Fire Department was assisted by the Timber Lakes Volunteer Fire Department, Montgomery County Hospital District, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office, the fire caused minor damage to the roof assembly. Investigators determined the cause was heat from welding operations that ignited existing roofing materials.

No injuries were reported.