Austin, TX – Governor Greg Abbott has requested federal disaster assistance for Harris County in the wake of the devastating three-alarm fire that tore through the 3 Corners West Apartments on Teague Street in northwest Houston on August 19–20, 2025. The fire displaced more than 300 residents and required a massive emergency response.
According to the Houston Fire Department, crews were first dispatched around 6:20 p.m. on August 19. Within minutes, over 100 firefighters were battling the rapidly spreading blaze, which forced responders into a defensive strategy to contain the flames. Two firefighters were injured in the effort — one was transported to Memorial Hermann–Texas Medical Center with a shoulder injury, while another suffered a heat-related illness but did not require hospitalization.
In the days following the fire, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), and Harris County officials conducted a joint damage assessment from September 3 through September 6. The survey found that at least 90 homes sustained major damage and that residents suffered uninsured losses exceeding 40 percent.
In a letter to Acting Director Eric Shaw of the SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, Gov. Abbott formally requested an SBA Disaster Declaration to make low-interest federal loans available for affected residents and businesses.
“Under provisions of 13 C.F.R. Part 123.3, I respectfully request that the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration implement a Small Business Administrative declaration to provide assistance in the form of SBA Disaster Loans for Harris County,” Abbott wrote.
The governor also stated in the letter: “The incident required a coordinated effort among local agencies and community partners to address immediate response needs and begin recovery efforts.”
The American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast chapter has also been assisting displaced residents with emergency shelter and recovery support.
