Table of Contents
- Blaze Breaks Out at Gregory Gin Company
- Evacuation Efforts and Community Response
- Firefighting Challenges Amid High Winds
- Property Damage and Safety Updates
- Sources
Texas Cotton Gin Fire Forces Mass Evacuation
A massive fire erupted Wednesday at the Gregory Gin Company in Gregory, Texas—just 13 miles northeast of Corpus Christi—triggering emergency evacuations across nearly a dozen residential streets. The blaze, fueled by high winds and dry conditions, quickly escalated into a multi-agency emergency response.
Local officials confirmed the fire began at the cotton gin facility, a critical part of the region’s agricultural infrastructure during harvest season. Smoke from the inferno billowed high into the sky, visible for miles, as emergency vehicles rushed to the scene.
Evacuation Efforts and Community Response
Residents in the immediate vicinity were ordered to evacuate as a precaution. Gregory, a small town with a population of just 1,740, activated its emergency protocols within minutes of the fire’s outbreak.
“We’re grateful no one was hurt,” said Aaron Boyes, a Gregory city councilman. “But two homes were completely lost. The community is shaken, but we’re pulling together.”
Local shelters opened to accommodate displaced families, and volunteers from neighboring towns brought water, food, and supplies to support first responders and evacuees.
Firefighting Challenges Amid High Winds
Firefighters from at least four departments joined forces to contain the blaze. With ground crews battling intense flames, aerial support was deployed to drop fire retardant from above—a rare but necessary tactic for rural Texas emergencies.
“The wind really worked against us today,” said one incident commander, who asked not to be named. “Cotton is highly flammable, and once it catches, it spreads fast—especially in these conditions.”
Property Damage and Safety Updates
While the cotton gin sustained catastrophic damage, early assessments indicate the fire also consumed two nearby homes. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire but have not ruled out accidental ignition during routine operations. The Texas Department of Public Safety and local fire marshals are expected to release a full report in the coming days.
Residents are urged to stay away from the area until an all-clear is issued. Air quality alerts have also been issued due to heavy smoke drifting toward Corpus Christi.
Sources
The New York Times – Large Fire at Texas Cotton Gin Prompts Evacuation Order
