Massive Fire Erupts at Decommissioned Power Facility in Bacliff, Texas

A Large plume of smoke is seen in the distance with a Galveston County Sheriff’s vehicle in the foreground

A large overnight fire tore through a decommissioned power plant near Bacliff, Texas early Sunday, sending a towering column of smoke into the sky and drawing a multi-agency emergency response across Galveston County.

The blaze began around 2:30 a.m. at the old PHR Peakers Plant off State Highway 146. Firefighters arrived to find several structures fully involved. At least five massive water-cooling towers collapsed as flames spread through the abandoned facility. Crews reported significant challenges reaching all sides of the plant because of limited access points and surrounding water channels.

Despite the scale of the fire, officials said no injuries have been reported. The site has been inactive for years and no workers were inside at the time.

Residents in nearby San Leon were advised to shelter indoors for several hours due to thick smoke drifting across the area. The plume was visible on weather radar and could be seen for miles along the Galveston Bay coastline. Early air monitoring did not indicate hazardous chemical levels, although officials urged people with respiratory sensitivities to avoid prolonged exposure.

Multiple fire departments from across the county responded and remained on scene throughout the morning as the structure continued to smolder. Authorities expect hotspots to burn for an extended period because of the size of the complex and the debris left behind by the collapsing towers.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire marshals will begin a full assessment once the site cools enough for safe entry. Since the facility has long been offline, investigators will be looking at potential external ignition sources, unauthorized access, or structural failures that may have contributed.

Highway 146 near the plant experienced delays as crews worked the scene, and drivers were warned to expect intermittent closures as cleanup continues.

Officials plan to release additional information as soon as the investigation advances.