BACLIFF – Multiple fire departments sent out firefighters on Sunday morning to battle a large fire at an inactive power plant in Bacliff.
The power plant has been decommissioned since the 1990’s, according to officials.
The fire started at the PH Robinson Power Plant on State Highway 146 around 2:30 a.m. and involved multiple burning cooling towers, which produced heavy smoke that was visible on radar.
“Those cooling towers just burned all the way to the ground, one after the other,” said Texas City Office of Emergency Management coordinator Joe Tumbleson.
The five decommissioned water-cooling towers, previously part of the former P.H. Robinson Power Plant, were situated on a small island surrounded by a canal. The island is adjacent to but separate from the location of a recently proposed desalination plant.
All five towers collapsed as a result of the fire. According to the fire department, the incident appeared to be contained to the island, and response teams have been focused on preventing the fire from spreading.
Fire departments from across Galveston County and nearby departments from Brazoria County responded to the fire.
Officials don’t believe weather played a role in the fire and said it is too early in the investigation to determine whether there was foul play.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for parts of San Leon from 8th Street to Galveston Bay as a precaution due to winds pushing the heavy smoke towards the nearby bayfront community.
On Monday, the Galveston County Health District said no significant findings have been made during air monitoring.
The Texas City Office of Emergency Management also confirmed Monday that the fire is now out. The investigation continues.
The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, and no injuries have been reported.
Full statement KV Land, LLC:
At approximately 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 16, 2025, a fire occurred at the cooling towers located on KV Land, LLC’s property at 5501 Highway 146 in Texas City. The five decommissioned water-cooling towers, previously part of the former P.H. Robinson Power Plant, were situated on a small island surrounded by a canal. The island is adjacent to but separate from the location of a recently proposed desalination plant.
All five towers collapsed as a result of the fire. According to the fire department, the incident appeared to be contained to the island, and response teams have been focused on preventing the fire from spreading. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, and no injuries have been reported.
KV Land, LLC has taken immediate steps to ensure public safety, including environmental testing to assist with post-fire safety measures as well as air quality monitoring. KV Land, LLC will continue working closely with emergency responders and local authorities and will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.