HOUSTON — A restaurant fire at George Bush Intercontinental Airport sent smoke above Terminal C North on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, and forced passengers near the restaurant to move. Houston firefighters extinguished the blaze at Ember restaurant about an hour after responding. No injuries were reported.
The Houston airport fire left part of Terminal C temporarily closed for cleanup Tuesday evening. Other terminals continued operating, while the airport worked with United Airlines on gate arrangements for Wednesday departures.
Cover: editorial illustration of an airport fire response; not a photograph of the IAH incident.
Where was the Houston airport fire?
The fire involved Ember restaurant in Terminal C North at IAH, according to Houston Fire Department information reported by NBC 5. Passengers in the immediate area were moved as a precaution. The confirmed location was inside a terminal restaurant; reports about this incident should not be confused with an aircraft fire.
IAH fire timeline: October 27
- About 4:20 p.m.: Houston Fire Department responded to the restaurant.
- About 5:20 p.m.: Firefighters reported the fire extinguished.
- 5:30 p.m.: The airport said other terminals were operating normally and no cancellations had been reported.
- 7:20 p.m.: The airport said HFD had completed its work. C North remained temporarily closed for precaution and cleanup; C South and the other terminals were operational.
All incident times are Houston local time, Central Daylight Time (CDT). The later closure update was reported by FOX 26 Houston.
Watch: smoke above IAH during the Terminal C restaurant fire
Were flights delayed or canceled?
United initially said the restaurant fire was not affecting flights. That statement describes the airline's early assessment, rather than a guarantee that every aircraft moved without interruption.
ABC13's updated reporting documented a temporary hold affecting at least one departing aircraft during the response. One arriving passenger also described waiting on the tarmac for roughly 20 minutes. These accounts can coexist with the airport's 5:30 p.m. statement that other terminals were operating normally and no cancellations had been reported.
In a later Bush Airport update, officials said they were working with United to accommodate the next day's flights and warned that some departures could use different gates. United passengers traveling October 28 were asked to check their terminal and gate before leaving for the airport.
What caused the Terminal C restaurant fire?
The cause remained under investigation. Houston Fire Department assigned its Arson Bureau to examine the incident, according to NBC 5. The bureau's involvement alone does not establish that someone deliberately started the fire.
No final cause determination, repair cost or firm C North reopening time was identified in the reporting reviewed for this article. It would be premature to attribute the incident to a particular appliance, maintenance issue or failed safety system.
What travelers should check before heading to IAH
Start with your airline's app or flight-status page and confirm both the departure terminal and the boarding gate. Check again after arriving, since a gate assignment can change while crews restore an affected area. For airport notices, use IAH's official alerts page and the airport's public updates.
A fire being extinguished and a passenger area reopening are separate milestones. Cleanup and decisions about access can continue after suppression crews finish. Follow airport staff directions around restricted areas rather than relying on an older gate assignment.
Frequently asked questions
Was anyone injured in the IAH fire?
No injuries were reported in the fire department information available for this report.
Did the fire close the whole airport?
No. The airport's Tuesday evening update described a temporary closure of C North, with C South and all other terminals operational.
Is Terminal C North open now?
The last closure update verified for this article was issued at 7:20 p.m. October 27. This report does not confirm its live operating status; check the airport and your airline before traveling.
Related fire safety coverage
For background on kitchen incidents, read our grease fire safety guide. Our explanation of alarm, trouble and supervisory signals also covers how building fire alarm conditions differ. These guides provide general context, not findings about the Ember fire.
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