> At a Glance
> – A Texas woman faces reckless arson charges after a Jan. 5 barbecue fire
> – The blaze started when she allegedly burned her boyfriend’s clothes in a pit on their balcony
> – 13 units were heavily damaged and the second floor collapsed
> – Why it matters: A domestic dispute turned into a massive apartment fire, displacing multiple families and injuring two people
A Texas woman has been charged with reckless arson after a domestic dispute escalated into a massive apartment fire that destroyed 13 units in Sheldon, Texas, on January 5, 2026.
According to the Harris County Fire Marshal, the incident began when the woman allegedly placed her boyfriend’s clothes in a barbecue pit on their apartment balcony following an argument. Despite her attempts to extinguish the flames, the fire reignited and spread throughout the building.
The Fire’s Devastation
The blaze caused catastrophic damage to the apartment complex. Sheldon Community Fire & Rescue reported that 13 units were “heavily and irreparably damaged” by fire, smoke, or water. The structural integrity was so compromised that the second floor collapsed onto the first floor.
Witness Mario Thompson described the scene to ABC 13:
> “The roof had caved in… stuff [was] falling off the back.”
Emergency Response and Injuries
The fire required significant emergency response resources. During the incident, one firefighter was transported to the hospital but is reported to be in stable condition. The woman, identified only as Randall, was also taken to the hospital for undisclosed reasons.
Key Takeaways
- A domestic dispute led to reckless arson charges after clothes were burned in a barbecue pit
- 13 apartment units were destroyed, with the second floor collapsing onto the first
- Two people required hospitalization – the suspect and one firefighter
- The Harris County Fire Marshal is continuing to investigate the incident
The fire has left multiple families displaced and raises questions about fire safety protocols in multi-unit residential buildings.
