Man charged with "reckless" arson after church fire in north Houston on Monday, court records say

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Court records said one person has been arrested for arson in connection with a three-alarm church fire that broke out in north Houston on Monday.

David Gibson, 43, was taken into custody on Tuesday, according to records.

The Houston Fire Department said at least 100 firefighters responded to the 5600 block of the North Freeway as a heavy blaze was seen in the area and on Houston TranStar cameras.

The building and several others on the property near it were smothered in flames and smoke as multiple crews worked to clear it, HFD said.

There were no injuries or deaths reported, officials said.

ABC13 crews and SkyEye were on the scene, where a tattered sign read "Centro Cristiano."

In a previous report, ABC13 spoke with church staff, including Assistant Pastor Benjamin Cowpersmith, who said the building was purchased by the Texas Department of Transportation in April 2025 and has been standing for nearly 24 years.

According to TxDOT, the building was purchased in conjunction with the I-45 expansion project.

Court records said Gibson is homeless and was inside the church, which was vacant, and allegedly started the fire in order to keep warm.

Officials said that because of that, the fire spread out of control, making the smoke "unbearable."

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Gibson has been charged with what court records stated as "reckless" arson.