Southeast Houston recycling facility fire continues to burn, air monitoring continuing

HOUSTON - Houston Fire Department crews remain at the scene of a recycling facility fire that sparked up over 24 hours ago in southeast Houston. 

As of 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, officials said firefighters are continuing to work on extinguishing hotspots in the smoldering debris. 

Officials said HFD Arson and Life Safety Bureau are investigating the cause of the fire. 

Authorities said they will remain on the scene until the fire is fully extinguished and no longer poses a threat to the surrounding community. 

Houston recycling facility fire: Firefighters continue to battle massive fire

The backstory:

The fire was reported near Kellogg Street and Manchester Street. 

According to Houston Fire Department Chief Thomas Munoz, they received a call just after 2:45 p.m. Monday at a recycling facility. 

Officials said it appears to be a large pile of tires, as well as debris, burning at the location. 

Authorities said about an hour later, they upgraded the call to a 211 fire and additional firefighters and equipment were called out to the scene. 

According to Munoz, there are approximately 200 firefighters are currently on the scene battling the fire. 

Fire officials said they are working with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and HAZMAT to determine if there are any air quality concerns. At the moment, officials say there are no environmental concerns at this time. As a result, no shelter in place order has been given. 

Officials said they are actively fighting the fire and there are currently no plans to just let the fire burn out. 

Currently, no evacuations or injuries have been reported in connection with the fire. 

Officials stated there is a neighborhood in the area, but there is currently no danger to the homes in the area as that is being monitored by the fire department. 

Air monitoring ongoing

The Houston Health Department released a statement late Monday evening saying they are continuing to monitor air quality as the fire continues to burn. 

"At the request of Mayor John Whitmire and in consultation with Fire Chief Tom Munoz, the Houston Health Department is actively monitoring the air quality in residential areas surrounding the debris fire from a recycling facility at 700 Kellogg St. and at air monitoring sites throughout the city. Additionally, we have deployed our Mobile Ambient Air Monitoring Lab to the nearest residential area to the fire site and air quality investigators to East Downtown.

At this time, the reading for dangerous particles in the air remains below the National Ambient Air Quality Standard level of concern, and no serious air quality concerns have been reported. We are working closely with the Houston Fire Department, the Houston Office of Emergency Management, the Harris County Pollution Control Services Department, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to monitor the situation, share data, and promptly disseminate information to the public."

On Tuesday, Council Member Joaquin Martinez said this on Facebook:

Due to ongoing activity at the site of the fire, Union Pacific is temporarily modifying train operations and pausing rail activity on nearby tracks at the request of HFD. Once cleared to resume rail operations, trains will begin moving with a slow rollout along the Galveston Sub. If possible, please avoid the area or consider alternate routes to avoid delays.

What we don't know:

It's unclear what caused the fire or how long it will be burning.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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