Tagged News

• San Benito Fire Department receives mobile command unit Play Video

  April 1, 2026 7:29 PM

  The San Benito Fire Department now has a new rehab and incident command trailer, according to Fire Marshal Jorge Mata. The department bought the trailer with state funding. It will be used during severe weather emergencies, large fires, and to help other agencies. "Let's say there's a missing... more »

• Edinburg unveils new permit review service Play Video

  December 3, 2025 5:14 PM

  To make it easier to build in their city, Edinburg officials announced a new service for the public. As Edinburg's chief building officer, Natalia Velasquez said the building permit process requires a lot of approvals from different city departments and officials. That includes the fire marshal, building safety... more »

• Starr County firefighters installing smoke detectors for free Play Video

  November 26, 2025 6:11 PM

  After meeting with several fire chiefs across the Rio Grande Valley, Starr County Fire Marshal Jorge Oyervides said county firefighters are taking action. Fire investigators often find homes do not have smoke detectors, Oyervides said. Starr County firefighters are now installing smoke alarms in homes free of charge.... more »

• 4 children hospitalized following mobile home fire in Hidalgo County Play Video

  October 15, 2025 12:18 PM

  Four children and one adult were hospitalized following a mobile home fire in the La Blanca area. The fire happened Wednesday shortly before 3:30 a.m. on Monte Cristo Road near FM 493. According to Hidalgo County Fire Marshal Homero Garza, the mobile home belonged to a family of... more »

• Pets die in house fire in rural Weslaco

  August 5, 2025 11:10 AM

  The Hidalgo County fire marshal is investigating a house fire in rural Weslaco. The fire occurred on Sunday at the 900 block of Isabel Drive, according to city of Weslaco spokesperson Magali Vega. Vega said no one was home at the time of the fire, but the homeowners... more »

• RGC Fire Victim Identified Play Video

  December 14, 2019 10:22 PM

  RIO GRANDE CITY - City officials identified the victim in a deadly restaurant fire. 31-year-old Maria Isabel Lopez Rojas was found unresponsive Friday in a restaurant that caught fire. The restaurant's owners say Lopez Rojas would occasionally sleep at the restaurant. State fire investigators have not... more »

• Cause of Potential Arson Fire in Brownsville Still Under Investigation Play Video

  September 17, 2019 5:00 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – A month and half later, no results for Brownsville homeowners who lost everything due to a potential arson fire. The Brownsville fire marshal is going to have to wait longer to get evidence back from the state for three homes. Juan Manuel Ruiz lived in one... more »

• Second Fire Investigation Involving Lightning Underway Near Mercedes Play Video

  September 5, 2019 5:19 PM

  NEAR MERCEDES – A storm this Thursday brought in a lot of lightning and may have caused a fire at a home in near Mercedes. Back-to-back house fires in Hidalgo county. Investigators say both look to have been sparked by lightning. Fire burned through the attic of... more »

• La Feria Residents Concerned about Grass Fires near Train Tracks Play Video

  August 29, 2019 6:24 PM

  LA FERIA – Dry conditions continue to cause problems for Rio Grade Valley residents. A train passing through the Harlingen-La Feria area Monday sparked a string of grass fires. "The wheels make a spark on the track and it goes real fast. Before you know it, it's right... more »

• Alton Fire Marshal Investigators Speak on Fatal House Fire Play Video

  July 23, 2019 6:15 PM

  NEAR ALTON - Fire marshal investigators are asking for any information that can help them piece together what happened in a fatal fire near Alton. CHANNEL 5 NEWS spoke to Fire Investigator, John Franz, about the ongoing investigation. “Right now not looking at it like its arson; it... more »

• Hidalgo Co. Fire Marshals Advising Businesses to Revise Inspections Play Video

  February 4, 2019 5:35 PM

  HIDALGO – Local businesses in Hidalgo County are being advised to stay on top of their annual fire inspections. A Pharr boot-shop owner says her goal is to satisfy her customers and the County Fire Marshal’s Office. Cynthia Rodriguez says she was recently told to remove boxes from... more »

• Accident Involving Fire Marshal Under Investigation Play Video

  December 14, 2018 5:36 PM

  ALAMO – A car accident involving a Hidalgo County fire marshal is under investigation. The incident happened in San Juan when the fire marshal was responding to a bomb threat in Alamo on Thursday. The fire marshal was hit at the intersection of Cesar Chavez and East Frontage... more »

• Hidalgo Co. Fire Marshal Search for Suspect in Robbery, Arson Case Play Video

  January 12, 2017 5:58 PM

  WESLACO - Hidalgo County fire officials are investigating a robbery and arson case out of Weslaco. The incident happened on Mile 6 1/2 Wednesday morning. Crews moved quickly to put the fire out. The Hidalgo County Fire Marshal's Office said Francisco Epefanio Neaves and his wife live at the home.... more »