A fire broke out at Ember restaurant in Terminal C North at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Nearby passengers were moved as a precaution. No injuries were reported.
The Houston Fire Department responded at approximately 4:20 p.m. One account put the dispatch time at 4:30 p.m. Crews had extinguished the fire by approximately 5:20 p.m.
The airport said flights were operating normally in other terminals. The incident did not prompt a reported airport-wide halt.
Flights continued, though controllers held a departing aircraft
Air traffic controllers temporarily held at least one departing aircraft while firefighters responded. That hold came as smoke rose from the restaurant area.
United Airlines said the fire was not affecting flights. Airport officials also described flight operations as running at a normal pace, with scheduled flights unaffected.
The airport’s general instruction was to check directly with airlines for terminal or gate updates. Passengers near the restaurant had already been relocated as a precaution.
The airport urged travelers to verify terminal and gate details
Bush Airport posted an advisory on X on October 28, 2026, about flights it was coordinating with United. The message warned that some passengers could see a different gate assignment.
"We're working with United to accommodate all flights tomorrow at IAH. Some flights may depart from a different gate than originally assigned. If you're flying United, please check your terminal and gate in the morning before you head to the airport."
Travelers flying United were advised to check their terminal and gate before leaving for the airport. Other passengers were told to confirm updates with their own airline.
- Check your airline’s updates for terminal or gate changes.
- United passengers should verify their terminal and gate before heading to the airport.
The airport’s advisory focused on checking flight details. United had said the fire was not affecting flights.
The terminal’s north area remained closed after firefighters finished
At 7:20 p.m., the airport said the fire department had completed its work. The north area remained closed as a precaution and for cleanup.
The rest of the terminal stayed open, as did the airport’s other terminals. The closure was limited to that north area, according to the airport’s update.
The department’s Arson Bureau is investigating what caused the fire. The cause remains under investigation.
A traveler shared five videos as smoke rose above the runway
The blaze sent a large, dark plume above the airport, visible from the runway. Travelers captured the smoke on video as firefighters responded.
Isaac Sacolick, a traveler, posted five videos to X showing conditions at the airport. By the time his aircraft pulled away from its gate, the fire appeared to be under control.
The airport’s October 28 post addressed the next day’s United flights, warning that some could leave from gates different from those originally assigned.
