TERRELL, Texas — A late-night house fire in Kaufman County caused catastrophic damage and prompted a large multi-agency response, according to officials.
Terrell volunteer firefighters were dispatched around 9:27 p.m. on April 14, 2026, to a structure fire in the area of County Road 237A. Multiple callers reported heavy fire coming from a residence and a possible person inside.
Firefighters arrived in less than seven minutes to find flames through the roof. Crews initiated a search of the home during fire suppression efforts.
Officials said firefighters used hand lines and an engine-mounted deck gun to bring the fire under control. Strong winds, heavy fire involvement, and water supply challenges made the operation difficult, and the home sustained catastrophic damage.
While the investigation remains ongoing, officials believe the fire may have originated from an overturned heat lamp in the garage that was being used to keep baby chicks warm.
Crews remained on scene for several hours, using more than 30,000 gallons of water before most units cleared around 1:56 a.m. Fire personnel are expected to return to monitor for hot spots.
During the response, authorities said a nearby resident drove a dirt bike through the area at high speed, narrowly missing emergency responders multiple times. The individual later crashed into a culvert and was taken into custody after being evaluated by EMS.
The rider was booked into the Kaufman County Jail on a reckless driving charge, and the dirt bike was impounded.
Multiple agencies, including Terrell, Elmo, and Ables Springs fire departments, assisted in the response.
No injuries were reported. The investigation remains ongoing.
