Man Charged with Reckless Arson After Accidental Fire at Vacant Houston Church

Accidental Fire at Vacant Church

• 🎯 A massive fire broke out at a vacant church and two adjacent buildings in north Houston on Monday.
• 💡 The suspect, 42-year-old David Gibson, stated the fire was an accident while he was trying to burn sticks to stay warm.
• ⚠️ This led to a charge of reckless arson, rather than intentional arson, as there was no malicious intent.

Suspect's Situation and Court Proceedings

• 🏠 Gibson, who is unhoused, was staying inside the vacant building when the fire started.
• 🤝 He expressed concern for others and offered to help with cleanup or repairs as community service.
• ⚖️ The judge set Gibson's bond at $5,000, lower than the state's initial request of $15,000.
• ⛓️ If convicted, he could face up to two years in state jail.

Property and Impact

• 🏗️ The church property was purchased by Textop in 2020 for the future I45 expansion project and was scheduled for demolition.
• ✅ Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire.