A large industrial fire at a decommissioned power plant in Texas City was contained Sunday evening after an extensive multi-agency firefighting response that began in the early morning hours. Officials confirmed that although the flames were no longer spreading, the site would continue to smolder well into the night, and residents would likely see smoke for several more hours. No injuries were reported, and authorities said air quality remained safe for nearby neighborhoods despite heavy smoke visible across the region.
The incident began shortly after 2:30 a.m. Sunday, when emergency teams received reports of a fire at the former PHR Peakers power plant located along the 5500 block of Highway 146. The facility, which no longer has an active water supply or utility connections, quickly became fully involved. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising above the industrial corridor and drifting northeast across Galveston Bay.
Fire crews from multiple departments across Galveston County and beyond responded to the scene. Units from Texas City, San Leon, Pearland, League City, La Marque, Alvin, Webster, and Santa Fe were among those that worked throughout the morning to control the burning structures. According to officials, the initial response was led by the San Leon Volunteer Fire Department, which coordinated with additional teams as the fire grew.
Assistant Chief Matthew Wyatt of the Texas City Fire Department said progress was slowed by the lack of onsite water access. Crews were forced to pump water from a nearby ditch, enabling them to operate two master stream hoses. Wyatt noted that the absence of natural gas or electricity at the plant reduced the risk of explosions, since the facility has been shut down for some time.
A public safety alert was issued to mobile devices in the surrounding area, advising residents to limit exposure to smoke. Some residents expressed concern that blowing embers could ignite brush or nearby properties, but officials stated that continuous monitoring showed no hazardous impact on air quality. Fire marshals also emphasized that there was no indication anyone had been inside the plant when the fire began.
By late morning, aerial video showed that several structures described as former cooling towers had collapsed or been reduced to charred remains. The scale of the burning debris was visible on weather radar, where meteorologists noted the smoke traveling over the bay.
Investigators will not begin examining the official cause of the fire until all hot spots have been extinguished. Authorities said the plant remains stable, and no additional hazards have been detected. Local fire officials expect crews to remain on site into Monday to manage lingering smoldering material.
Despite concerns raised in the surrounding community, officials stressed that the situation is under control and that response teams worked efficiently to prevent the fire from spreading beyond the plant perimeter. The incident marks one of the largest coordinated industrial fire responses in the region this year, highlighting the challenges associated with aging or decommissioned industrial properties that lack modern safety infrastructure.
