Precinct 8 Deputies Respond Quickly to Fire Near Gulf Freeway Homeless Encampment
Houston, TX – On Saturday, April 12, 2025, at approximately 8:04 a.m., Deputies Ramirez and Tamez of the Harris County Precinct 8 Constable’s Office observed a large plume of black smoke while traveling southbound in the 9200 block of the Gulf Freeway.
The deputies traced the smoke to a wooded area behind the Tara Hall Apartment complex, located at 1717 College Avenue in Houston. Upon investigating, they discovered an active fire within the underbrush of a homeless encampment. The fire was spreading rapidly along the ground, posing a potential risk to nearby structures and individuals in the area.
Deputy Tamez acted swiftly, retrieving a fire extinguisher from their patrol unit and initiating efforts to suppress the flames. Thanks to the quick actions of the deputies, the fire was slowed until the arrival of the Houston Fire Department from Station 52.
HFD personnel arrived moments later and were able to fully extinguish the blaze before it could cause further damage or injuries.
