Houston Fire Department

Three-Alarm Fire Breaks Out at Sorrento in Montrose

Five Houston Fire Department ladder trucks responded to a three-alarm fire that broke out this morning at Sorrento, a popular Italian restaurant on Lower Westheimer. The fire started at the restaurant around 9 a.m., and had been downgraded to a one-alarm fire by 10:30 a.m. "No one hurt at Sorrento, ... More >>

An Open Letter to the A-Hole Who Sent a White Powdery Substance to Franklin Elementary School Today

Dear Jerk-Off, As you know, a bunch of parents already rattled by last week's tragedy had to receive a letter from Franklin Elementary Principal Jilliane Raphiel today, notifying them that "a white powdery substance arrived on campus through the U.S. mail." Of course, "testing on the envelope and t ... More >>

Jarmaine Darnell Simon: Charged With Arson In Azul Lounge Blaze

A Houston man has been charged with second-degree arson in connection with the September 18 blaze at a southside nightclub. Jarmaine Darnell Simon, 23, is charged with setting the fire at Azul Lounge at 9880 Buffalo Speedway about 4:30 a.m. that day, destroying the club that is near Reliant Stadium ... More >>

The Broken Spoke Goes Up in Smoke: Pictures and Video

UPDATE: A press release from the Houston Fire Department appears below. The Broken Spoke Cafe caught fire this afternoon around 3 p.m. and was still blazing around 3:45 p.m., when at least eight Houston Fire Department ladder trucks were hard at work putting the flames out. It is not known at this ... More >>

Photo: Dolce Vita Damaged by Fire

Popular Montrose pizzeria Dolce Vita was damaged today by a fire that started at around 3:30 a.m. this morning. As reported by KPRC, the fire started in a Dumpster outside the rear of the restaurant and the flames soon spread to Dolce Vita itself. "Firefighters arrived on scene within four minutes ... More >>

Jaime Mata, Gabino Silva: Two Suspects in Chilling Arson Attempt Caught on Video Surrender

Both suspects caught on video barricading the front door of a crowded bar and then setting it on fire have turned themselves in to authorities. First was Jaime Mata, who did most of the work captured on tape, who told police he was surrendering because "his face was all over the news," the Houston ... More >>

Thomas Dillion: 22-Year HFD Vet Dies on Duty

A longtime Houston firefighter died this morning while on a call, but HFD said the death did not appear to be fire-related. Senior Captain Thomas W. Dillion, 49, was on the scene of a small kitchen fire in the 8500 block of Cook Road about 8:30 this morning when he collapsed, HFD says. He was take ... More >>

Late Night Pie Burns Down Overnight

A fire that started 45 minutes after Late Night Pie closed last night at 3 a.m. burned the pizza joint nearly to the ground. ABC-13 reported that the restaurant had suffered major damage as a result of the fire, which the Houston Fire Department battled for three hours. Public reaction to the news ... More >>

Unidentified Male in Murder-Suicide, Bayou Body Count No. 154

Fox 26's take on it.​Two men were dead after a murder-suicide on the west side last night, Houston police say. Their names have not been released pending notification of family members, but they were discovered about 10:40 p.m. in the 6300 block of Deerwood Road, near the Houston Country Club ... More >>

The Scene of A Fantastic Metro Crash: Conveniently, Near Lawyers' Offices

At around 9 a.m., a dump truck headed eastbound on Capitol was struck by a southbound MetroRail train. The truck was knocked up on the sidewalk, where it came to rest very near the door to Ziggy's deli. The train derailed, but both vehicles remained upright. A statement from the Houston Fire Depart ... More >>

Uh-Oh: George Bush Park Is (Sorta) on Fire (UPDATED)

​This photo, taken from a local resident's front yard, shows a smoky fire in George Bush Park on the far west side. The Houston Fire Department does report "a grass fire" and sent a unit out at 4:31 p.m. UPDATE: 22 units have been sent out, HFD says (see end of item). It doesn't sound too ba ... More >>

Comment of the Day: A Better HFD Patch for Magnolia Park

​We have some great commenters here on Hair Balls, and it's time we paid some damn attention to them. So we'll be highlighting a Comment of the Day each morning, from the previous day's work. Maybe two comments, even. This will all be determined by a highly rigorous scientific formula involv ... More >>

Yes, That's Wildfire Smoke You're Seeing and Smelling (UPDATE: HISD Cancels/Re-Schedules Some Games)

Photo by GalgenTXThis is the Bastrop fire, but smoke is smoke.​The weather here is pretty perfect right now, in terms of heat and humidity. But in terms of dryness, it's still a bitch. You probably noticed a smoky smell this morning and even some haze. And yes, the source is probably what you ... More >>

Staged Reading: The Guys

The 10 Coolest Houston Fire Station Patches: Skulls, Gangs & Singed Balls

With everyone watching the wildfires blazing around the state, it's a good time to think good thoughts about the people who risk their lives as firefighters. Each Houston Fire Department station has its own patch, and some of them are very cool. Or odd. Here are the 10 best, in our humble opinion. ... More >>

The Shuttle's Souvenir Load

20,000 flags and 10,000 patches aboard

The Wildfires Come to Houston

It didn't look like this.​The city of Houston proper has pretty much avoided the wildfires and grassfires that have been afflicting Texas, but today was different. The Houston Fire Department spent 90 minutes putting out a grassfire between Old Galveston Road and the Gulf Freeway just north o ... More >>

Camera Catches Arsonist Red-Handed

HFDThe arsonist in his element.​Houston Fire Department investigators are still trying to catch a serial arsonist in southwest Houston, and right now they're pinning their hopes on some grainy security-cam footage. Fire Marshall Richard Galvan tells Hair Balls the investigation is a high pri ... More >>

Jessica Tata, Owner of Daycare Where Four Kids Died, Escapes to Nigeria

​The Houston Fire Department says the owner of the daycare where last week's heartbreaking fire killed four kids has escaped the country. Jessica Tata, 22, is in Nigeria, HFD tells the Houston Chronicle. Tata has been charged with reckless injury to a child involving serious bodily injury, b ... More >>

Parents' Nightmare: Three Kids Die in Daycare Fire

Parents' nightmare on the west side​Horrible story out on the west side of town -- three children, aged three or younger, have died and another four are hospitalized with serious injuries, the Houston Fire Department and news outlets report. The fire, at Jackie's Child Care in the 2800 block ... More >>

HFD: 30 Elevator Rescues Today Because of Rolling Blackouts

The Houston Fire Department reports that it had 30 elevator rescues today because of the rolling blackouts. Normally HFD would handle two or three a day, spokeswoman Alicia Whitehead says. The first call came at 4:30 a.m., and most of the action was between 7 and 10 a.m. We're sure they all looke ... More >>

HFD Hit Yet Again With Harassment Complaint, This Time by a Hispanic Firefighter

Another companit against the Houston Fire Department​Just a week after the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sided with a Houston firefighter's charges she was harassed, HFD was hit with another embarrassing allegation of firehouse misconduct. In a press conference today, a Hisp ... More >>

Whole Foods On Kirby (Somewhat) Ablaze (Update: It's Out)

Smoky but contained​The Whole Foods on Kirby is on fire, according to witnesses and Twitter photos (that can't be accessed because everyone's trying to see them).The Houston Fire Department reports 11 units on the scene of "a building fire." At this point it's a one-alarm fire, which sounds like i ... More >>

Exclusive Photos from the Great Pumpkin Fire at Whole Foods

​All is well at the Whole Foods at 2955 Kirby, and the store plans to reopen to the public at 5 p.m., but many pumpkins perished in the blaze that erupted around 2 p.m. today when a seasonal display at the store's entrance caught fire. The Houston Fire Department responded quickly and no one ... More >>

Another Lawsuit Alleging Racism In The Houston Fire Department

HFD: Another racism lawsuit, although this time the plaintiff is representing himself​A noose found hanging in a locker. The word "Nigger" spelled in graffiti on an African-American woman's dressing quarters. Sadly, the Houston Fire Department has for years been plagued with acts and allegations o ... More >>

HFD Announces It Doesn't Know Much Yet About Election-Machines Fire

HFD still trying to come up with answers​Wondering what's going on with the investigation into the warehouse fire on August 27 that destroyed more than $30 million of Harris County's voting equipment?Well, lucky for you the Houston Fire Department threw a little media soiree Thursday afternoon to ... More >>

Three Firefighters Fired Over Racially Insensitive Comments (Updated With HFD Response)

Another in a series of racial problems for HFD​Three Houston firefighters have been "indefinitely suspended" over racially insensitive comments made on a patient's record, a firefighters union said today. Jeff Caynon, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, said his group ... More >>

Jane Draycott, Alleged HFD Harassment Victim: Still No Word About Shoplifting Charge

Jane Draycott: Don't forget the ice!​Jane Draycott, one of two women suing the Houston Fire Department over alleged sexual harassment, has discovered a spectacular way to sabotage her case: She's been arrested for trying to shoplift $300 in merchandise from a Walmart.Report indicate that Draycott ... More >>

Upcoming Events

Get ready for a boozy good time on Saturday.​Get your palates primed for the Texas Vodka Throwdown this Saturday night at Caroline Collective (4820 Caroline). The event, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m., is absolutely free (as long as you're over 21), but that's not the best part: The best part is ... More >>

Unidentified Female, Bayou Body Count No. 132

Body in a burned-out car​The body of a woman was found in the backseat of a burned-out car on the far west side early Tuesday morning.The Houston Fire Department was called out for a vehicle fire about 2 a.m. Tuesday at the Mansions of Shadowbriar Apartments in the 12100 block of Overbrook Lane."O ... More >>

Smallish YMCA Fire Brings Big HFD Response

Photos by Chris VogelA lot of trucks responded for a smallish fire​As more than 30 fire trucks and 100 firefighters clogged up Downtown's Louisiana Street in front of the YMCA building this afternoon in response to a three-alarm fire, residents who had evacuated couldn't help but acknowledge the i ... More >>

No Pho-king Way: Bye-Bye Mai's, At Least For Now

Update: The official HFD release says "Houston Fire Department arson investigators have ruled the cause of a fire at Mai's Restaurant on Milam due to a cooking fire (wok)." Photos by Craig Hlavaty​Firefighters continue to battle the blaze at Mai's, and reports are grim. (In terms of property, at ... More >>

It's Back To The Local Station For The Fire Chief

​The announcement came earlier today that the chief of the Houston Fire Department, Phil Boriskie, is resigning his post because of "my desire to return to the station and continue to serve in this great Department," according to his written statement. Boriskie's sudden desire to return to the sta ... More >>

More Ugly Trouble For That Doctor From The Wholesome TV Ads

​Houston's wackiest, silliest married couple is at it again: Last Sunday night, Rachel Brown, wife of cocaine-enthusiast and medical-license-losing former surgeon Michael Brown (star of local television ads featuring his kids) called 911 because, per the offense report, "her husband is trying to k ... More >>

Houston Female Firefighters Get In On The Calendar Act

​For years, the studs of the Houston Fire Department have been selling charity calendars to gay men all over the city. Possibly some women buy them, too.Now -- to top off a year when female firefighters have alleged harassment and abuse by colleagues and lack of support from supervisors -- the wom ... More >>

Sayonara Savoy: Derelict Downtowner To Be Emergency Demo'd Soon

​The Savoy (1616 Main St.), one of the half dozen or so derelict high- and midrises in southwestern downtown, is to be imploded tomorrow next Friday in an emergency demolition, according to HPD public affairs officer Victor Senties. The building was found to be structurally unsound and must come d ... More >>

A Cool, Calm Discussion Of Possible Racism In The Fire Department

 You know what the Houston Fire Department racism mess needed? Some more stirring of the pot.Luckily, we have city councilwoman Jolanda Jones, who is a Sheila Jackson Lee in training when it comes to publicity, and Jeff Caynon, head of one of the local firefighters' unions, who also knows how t ... More >>

Houston Fire Department Battles Another Racism Allegation, Assuming You Think Graffiti Saying "Die Nigger" Is Racist

The Houston Police Department began a full-scale hate-crime investigation this morning after a pair of women firefighters discovered racist and sexist graffiti scribbled all over the locker doors in the women's dressing quarters at Station 54 at Bush Intercontinental Airport. Houston Fire Depa ... More >>

Black Firefighters Protest Lack Of Action On A Noose In A Locker

Photo by Paul KnightA senior captain in the Houston Fire Department kept a noose hanging in his locker, and according to the Houston Black Firefighters Association, the fire department, city council and mayor haven't taken the incident seriously. "They basically gave him a slap on the wrist," firefi ... More >>

Fire Department Deals With A Tough Two Weeks

Photo by Paul KnightIt's been a rough two weeks for the Houston Fire Department.Two firefighters died Easter morning inside a burning house, trying to rescue a married couple that wasn't there, and on March 30, two fire trucks collided in Montrose while responding to fire that didn't exist, injuring ... More >>

Spectacular Firetruck Crash Makes Huge Hassle In Montrose

Photo by Justine Schmider Firefighters and at least one civilian were injured in a nasty crash at about 11 o'clock this morning at Westheimer and Dunlavy in the heart of Montrose.The two fire trucks collided while responding to an emergency call, flipping the ladder truck onto a white Infinity, a ... More >>

Thelma's Says It's Rebuilding

The latest "news" on the smoldered Thelma's Bar-B-Que on 1020 Live Oak is... nothing all that new.Alicia White, with the Houston Fire Department, told Hair Balls that since the cause of the fire is still under investigation, information beyond the basics isn't going to be released any time soon (th ... More >>

In The Re-Match, Second Baptist Again Kicks Lakewood's Ass

Who Burned the Lasagna?

Fire Away

Plus: Labor Pains, Taking the Rains

Riding Short

Houston firefighters say the city has been playing Russian roulette by carrying crews of three members instead of four on its trucks. Last October, Jay Paul Jahnke anted up with his life.

Letters 09-07-2000

Burned by City Hall, Leon and Joe, Muzzle This Mirth

On The Hot Seat

Lester Tyra's short reign as chief of the Houston Fire Department has been filled with controversy. Can he quench the flames fast enough to save his job?

Press Briefs