A large East End Houston fire sent thick black smoke over southeast Houston on Monday afternoon as crews responded near Kellogg and Manchester streets. Officials said the fire involved tires, trash and debris at a recycling facility property.
The Houston Fire Department logged the incident at 2:55 p.m. Monday, June 22, as a three-alarm fire response. Local reports said about 100 firefighters worked the scene.
East End Houston Fire Reported Near Kellogg and Manchester
The fire was first reported around 2:49 p.m. near the intersection of Kellogg Street and Manchester Street. Initial reports described the call as a possible building or warehouse fire.
Fire officials later said the flames were coming from a large pile of debris on the property. Tires were among the materials burning, creating a large plume visible from nearby roads and traffic cameras.
The site sits in the East End area near the Houston Ship Channel and Buffalo Bayou. Fire crews focused on keeping the flames from spreading beyond the property.
A separate engine was dispatched to help protect a nearby tree line. A neighborhood sits beyond that area.
Firefighters Work To Contain Burning Debris
Fire officials said the flames burned behind a warehouse in a large debris field. No structures had caught fire as of the latest reported updates.
More than 100 firefighters were assigned to the scene. Crews also worked through dangerous heat, with temperatures and heat index values topping 100 degrees Monday afternoon.
Burning tires can make firefighting more difficult. They can produce heavy smoke and often require large amounts of water or foam to fully extinguish.
Officials said no injuries had been reported. No evacuations had been ordered as of Monday evening.
Air Quality Monitoring Underway
The dark smoke raised air quality concerns across nearby communities. The Houston Fire Department said it was working with other agencies to assess conditions.
Hazardous materials crews and state environmental officials were monitoring air quality. As of Monday afternoon, officials had not identified an immediate threat requiring an evacuation or shelter-in-place order.
Residents with asthma, lung disease or other health concerns should follow official guidance from emergency officials. Sensitive groups often face higher risk when smoke is present.
Anyone near the area should avoid unnecessary exposure to smoke. Closing windows, limiting outdoor activity and watching official updates can help reduce risk.
Cause Remains Under Investigation
Arson investigators were at the scene to determine the cause. Officials said that does not mean the fire was intentionally set.
The fire remained a developing incident Monday evening. Updates from the Houston Fire Department and emergency management officials are expected as crews continue their work.
For East End residents and nearby businesses, the main takeaway is to stay alert, avoid the immediate area and follow official public safety updates until crews fully clear the scene.