An early holiday cookout in southeast Houston yesterday morning led to a fire after a backyard barbecue setup caught flame, burning the back of a house and sending one person to the hospital with first- and second-degree burns.
According to the Houston Fire Department, the fire started on Winding Creek Way near Flagstone Terrace after a barbecue pit or backyard smoker placed close to the home caught fire, FOX 26 Houston reported. Video shared with the station by the homeowner shows large flames coming from the back of the house as crews worked to extinguish the fire.
Homeowner Says Smoker Was ‘Worn Out’ Before Blaze
Homeowner Tom Zakes told reporters he was setting up a smoker to cook a Thanksgiving turkey when the fire began. “The fire had fallen out of the smoker,” Zakes told ABC13, noting that the smoker was already worn out before the incident.
Injuries and Damage
Firefighters reported that one person was taken to Memorial Hermann–Texas Medical Center with first- and second-degree burns. No firefighters were injured, but the back of the home suffered significant damage, FOX 26 Houston reported. Officials said the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Why Thanksgiving Cooking Is Risky
Nationally, Thanksgiving is the day with the highest number of home cooking fires, a trend public-safety groups highlight each year. Research cited by the American Red Cross from the NFPA shows a significant increase in cooking-related house fires on the holiday. Authorities say distracted cooking and outdoor fryers or smokers placed too close to homes are common causes. The American Red Cross advises keeping grills and fryers a safe distance from buildings and never leaving cooking appliances unattended.
Investigation and Next Steps
Houston Fire investigators stayed at the scene to determine where the fire started and whether equipment failure or placement was a factor, ABC13 reports. Neighbors and the homeowner provided video to authorities, who said more information will be released once the investigation is complete.
Fire officials are emphasizing key safety steps for the holidays: place smokers, pellet grills, or deep fryers on stable, non-combustible surfaces at least 10 feet from any building, keep a hose or Class ABC fire extinguisher nearby, and never leave heat sources unattended, advice also highlighted by the American Red Cross. If a fire occurs, they urge people to evacuate immediately and call 9-1-1. The Houston Fire Department said crews will provide updates once the investigation is complete.
