Friday, January 9

Breaking News

Latest breaking news and developing stories from Houston Stringer, covering major incidents and local stories across the U.S. and worldwide.

One person found deceased after house fire on Southmont
Houston

One person found deceased after house fire on Southmont

HOUSTON, TX – One person was found deceased following a house fire in southeast Houston earlier today. https://youtu.be/SclAV96j4is Around 3:16 a.m., a Southeast Patrol sergeant with the Houston Police Department observed a residence fully engulfed in flames in the 6000 block of Southmont. At the same time, neighbors were calling 911 to report the fire. Houston Fire Department crews arrived shortly after and extinguished the blaze. While clearing the home, firefighters discovered one deceased individual inside. The identity of the deceased is currently unknown. The Houston Fire Department Arson Division and Houston Police Department Homicide Division are investigating. This is a developing story and more information will follow if it becomes available.
Man shot in leg after altercation escalates in parking lot on North Freeway
Houston

Man shot in leg after altercation escalates in parking lot on North Freeway

HOUSTON, TX – A man was shot in the leg following an altercation that escalated into gunfire outside a facility on the North Freeway earlier today. https://youtu.be/Bk6XWhYAGdA Houston Police Department North Patrol officers responded around 3 a.m. to 4475 North Freeway and found an adult male with a gunshot wound to the leg. He was transported to a nearby hospital in stable, non-life-threatening condition. According to police, the incident began as a verbal altercation inside a business before spilling into the parking lot, where the suspect fired approximately 10 rounds, striking the victim once. If you have any information, you are urged to contact the Houston Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
Fire damages former Whitmeyer’s Distilling Co. warehouse on Nolda
Houston

Fire damages former Whitmeyer’s Distilling Co. warehouse on Nolda

HOUSTON, TX – Firefighters responded to a warehouse fire earlier today in the 5300 block of Nolda Street. https://youtu.be/Ii39trUNAWY The building, formerly home to Whitmeyer’s Distilling Co., appeared to have sustained heavy damage. The distillery had already been permanently closed prior to the fire. No injuries have been reported at this time. The cause of the fire is unknown. This is a developing story and more information will follow if it becomes available.
Two Houston firefighters injured after vehicle slams into fire truck on the Gulf Freeway
Houston

Two Houston firefighters injured after vehicle slams into fire truck on the Gulf Freeway

HOUSTON, TX – Two Houston firefighters were injured after a vehicle slammed into their parked fire truck on the Gulf Freeway earlier today. https://youtu.be/8gQoEReGPaw The crash occurred in the northbound lanes of I-45 near Exit 29 for F.M. 2351 (Friendswood/Clear Lake City Boulevard). Houston Fire Department personnel were assisting Houston police with an unrelated crash investigation at the time. A vehicle traveling at high speed struck the parked HFD truck. Two firefighters were transported to the hospital and are in stable condition. The driver of the striking vehicle was critically injured. A DWI unit was requested to investigate possible impairment; however, the driver is currently incapacitated. Investigators noted there were no signs the driver attempted to brake ...
Man shot multiple times during exchange of gunfire in apartment parking lot
Harris County, Houston

Man shot multiple times during exchange of gunfire in apartment parking lot

HOUSTON, TX – A man was shot multiple times following a shootout between two individuals at the Vickery Parc Apartments in north Houston. https://youtu.be/oZ33Mm2Nr9o The shooting occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 2 in the 5300 block of North Sam Houston Parkway East. According to investigators, two adult males got into a verbal altercation in the parking lot that escalated into gunfire. Both reportedly drew handguns and exchanged gunfire. One of the men was struck multiple times and transported to a local hospital. The other fled the scene and remains at large. Deputies recovered one firearm at the scene. At least one of the individuals involved is believed to be a resident of the complex, possibly both. If you have any information, you are urged to contact the Harris...
Two lawsuits filed after sulfuric acid release at Houston port facility, each seeking over $1 million
Houston

Two lawsuits filed after sulfuric acid release at Houston port facility, each seeking over $1 million

HOUSTON, TX – Two separate lawsuits have been filed in Harris County District Court after a sulfuric acid release at a Houston port terminal, with each plaintiff seeking more than $1 million in damages. Both lawsuits stem from an incident that occurred around 2:00 a.m. on December 27, 2025, at the BWC Terminals facility on San Jacinto Port Boulevard. According to the court filings, an overhead walkway at the terminal broke free and fell onto a pipeline carrying sulfuric acid, causing a large release of the toxic chemical into the surrounding area. One lawsuit alleges the plaintiff was working aboard a vessel on the Houston Ship Channel about 500 feet from the facility when he heard a loud crash and saw a gas cloud coming from the terminal. The filing states there were no alarms o...
Fire breaks out at mostly vacant apartment building on Corporate Drive
Houston

Fire breaks out at mostly vacant apartment building on Corporate Drive

HOUSTON, TX – Firefighters with the Houston Fire Department responded to a fire at an apartment building in the 7700 block of Corporate Drive around 1:52 a.m. on January 2, 2026. https://youtu.be/qOFd2VSMemk Upon arrival, crews observed smoke coming from a two-story apartment building and initiated an offensive attack. A primary search was completed, and the fire was brought under control in approximately 20 minutes. Damage was contained to one unit, along with portions of the attic, breezeway, and roof. No injuries were reported. One of the units may have sustained water damage. CenterPoint secured the utilities, and HFD Arson investigators were requested to determine the cause and origin of the fire, which remains under investigation. A total of 37 personnel responded, includi...
Firefighters respond to warehouse fire in Greater Eastwood
Houston

Firefighters respond to warehouse fire in Greater Eastwood

HOUSTON, TX – Firefighters with the Houston Fire Department responded to a warehouse fire at 700 Milby Street near Rusk in the Greater Eastwood area around 1:00 a.m. on January 2, 2026. https://youtu.be/yR0YiGgcZlc The warehouse, located at the BNSF Milby Yard, was fully involved when crews arrived. Firefighters initiated a defensive attack and confirmed there were no active utilities. A primary search was completed on nearby structures, and the fire was brought under control by approximately 2:30 a.m. There were no reports of any injuries. HFD Arson investigators were requested to determine the cause and origin of the fire. A total of 64 personnel responded to the scene, including firefighters from Stations 8, 25, 23, 20, 17, 18, 19, 40, 30, Hazmat 22, Rescue 42, and Rehab 4...
Suspect flees in black sedan after shooting man during basketball game argument
Houston

Suspect flees in black sedan after shooting man during basketball game argument

HOUSTON, TX – A man was shot during an argument at a basketball game in Cottage Grove Park Thursday afternoon. https://youtu.be/5q2YeHEj_MU The shooting occurred around 4:30 p.m. in the 2100 block of Arabelle Street. Central Patrol officers with the Houston Police Department and the Houston Fire Department responded and located a 20-year-old male who had been shot at least once. He was transported to the hospital and is expected to survive. According to police, the male and several others were at the park when an argument broke out among them. One of the males produced a handgun and shot the victim. The suspect fled in a black sedan. Police are speaking with witnesses and are attempting to obtain surveillance footage from residences in the area. Families were in the park a...
Vehicle engine fire caused duplex fire in Greater Inwood
Houston

Vehicle engine fire caused duplex fire in Greater Inwood

HOUSTON, TX – A duplex fire broke out in the 5400 block of De Soto Street in northwest Houston’s Greater Inwood area around 4:05 a.m. on December 31, 2025. https://youtu.be/T6RN8nNPW7g Firefighters arrived to find a 2-story duplex on fire and located flames in the garage involving a vehicle. Crews initiated an attack on the fire, conducted a primary search, and rotated personnel until the fire was brought under control. HFD Arson investigators determined the cause was accidental, originating from a vehicle engine fire. No injuries were reported. A total of 46 personnel responded, including firefighters from Stations 4, 15, 5, 13, 66, 67, 50, 30, Hazmat, Heavy Rescue 11, and Rehab 42.