The city's newest top cop and fire chief spent the day meeting Houstonians and taking questions on the city's southeast side.

"To the residents of Houston, I leave with a full heart of gratitude for the memories and experiences we have shared," Peña wrote on social media. "It has been an honor and privilege, and I thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving as your Fire Chief."

Houston Mayor John Whitmire held a press conference Friday afternoon to introduce the city’s new Fire Department Chief, Thomas Muñoz, will replace current chief Sam Peña.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire confirmed to KPRC 2 Investigates on Friday morning that a new Houston Fire Department Chief, Thomas Muñoz, will replace the current chief Sam Peña.

During an interview with Chief Sam Peña with the Houston Fire Department, he told KPRC 2 reporter Corley Peel that they have responded to at least one death overnight from a housefire.

Due to weather-related public safety concerns, the City of Houston has made the decision to postpone the downtown Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade.

Houston mayor John Whitmire and local officials discussed safety, security and guidelines for the College Football Playoff National Championship happening on Monday, Jan. 8.

A fire in the Spring Branch area has been burning for nearly a week, and residents said they’re becoming frustrated.

A fire in Spring Branch that has been burning for nearly a week now could burn for several more weeks if left alone. That’s according to fire officials who say that likely won’t happen because crews are hard at work keeping it contained.

KPRC 2 Investigates has uncovered another example of convicted Houston City Council Relations Director William-Paul Thomas working outside of his scope at city hall last spring.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn is meeting with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, and Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña to discuss the recently introduced Public Safety Officer Support Act. Following a roundtable discussion, a press conference is being held to discuss the initiative with the public.

On Sunday, people prayed for the eight people who lost their lives at the Astroworld Music Festival Friday night.

A person is dead after a fire Monday morning in northeast Houston.

Walter Luna is seen in this photo shared on Twitter by the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association on March 9, 2021. HOUSTON – A Houston firefighter was killed in a cycling accident Tuesday. Fire Chief Sam Peña said in a tweet that Engineer Operator Walter Luna was off-duty when he was involved in the accident. On behalf of the @HoustonFire Dept, our deepest condolences to the family of Engineer Operator Walter Luna who was killed today in an off-duty cycling accident. This developing story will be updated.

Emergency vehicles block Interstate 45 south of downtown Houston after a crash involving several vehicles Feb. 14, 2021. HOUSTON – A crash involving nearly a dozen vehicles was reported near downtown Houston on Sunday night. Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña said in a tweet that there was a 10-car pileup on Interstate 45, just south of downtown Houston. Houston Transtar reported a complete road closure of I-45 at Interstate 69 and Lockwood Drive. According to Peña, Houston firefighters and police are at the scene.

HOUSTON – Some of the first frontline workers for the city of Houston are getting their coronavirus vaccines Monday after 6,000 doses arrived at the Houston Health Department and the Houston Fire Department. Dr. Stephen Williams, director of HHD, said the first shots will go to the 260 workers who qualify in Phase 1A. He said the Health Department is also preparing to administer the vaccine to 365 school nurses in both the Houston and Pearland school districts. “Get vaccinated.”Harris County Public Health now vaccinating frontline health workersOn Monday, Harris County Public Health is administering doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to those eligible for Phase 1A. Cases continue to riseNews of the additional doses in Houston came as new cases of the virus were reported in Houston.

HOUSTON – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Monday that he is prepared to use a curfew to curb the increase of coronavirus cases in the city, but he called the measure a “nuclear option.”Turner said that an additional 403 COVID-19 cases were reported in the city Monday, bringing the total number of cases in Houston to 101,300. Two more coronavirus-related deaths were also reported Monday which puts the total number of deaths in the city at 1,467. Houston fire Chief Sam Peña said inspectors responded to 105 occupancy complaints between Friday and Saturday, noting most of those were resolved on-site. He said there is no single metric that will trigger a curfew, but he is following the numbers very closely. Turner said he plans on taking the vaccine publicly once it is available to him.

HOUSTON – A shelter-in-place order has been lifted for residents within a half-mile radius of a trash fire at a recycling facility on Houston’s north side, according to the Houston Fire DepartmentThe fire was reported just before 4 p.m. at Independent Texas Recyclers near the corner of Irvington Boulevard and Bennington Street. Houston fire Chief Sam Peña said the smoke from the fire is not quickly dissipating. He said the shelter-in-place has been issued to keep people from breathing the smoke. Houston firefighters said the fire has not spread to any buildings and they are working to contain the blaze. Both Houston Public Works and the Houston Health Department are conducting air- and water-quality checks.

HOUSTON – The memorial service for a Houston Fire Department arson investigator, Lemuel 'DJ’ Bruce, was held Thursday morning at Lakewood Church. Full Screen 1 / 27 The memorial service for a Houston Fire Department arson investigator, Lemuel Bruce, was held on Oct. 22, 2020, at Lakewood Church. You will be missed, but not forgotten," Marc Rio, Bruce’s brother-in-law, said at the memorial service. he was going to prove you wrong and perfect it and do it better," Rio said. He made things better,” Rio said.

HOUSTON – Houston police released the name of a man Friday night who authorities said shot and killed a fire Department arson investigator early Friday morning. Police said 30-year-old Joshua De La Cerda committed suicide at the scene of a shootout with HFD arson investigator Lemuel Bruce about 3:30 a.m. in the 2100 block of Seamist Drive and W. 18th Street. RELATED: Who was Lemuel Bruce, HFD arson investigator killed in shootingHPFFA President Patrick Lancton said in part, “We mourn the line-of-duty loss of Lemuel Bruce, our friend and brother. Details of the memorial service for Investigator Bruce will be announced as soon as possible. HFD arson investigator Lemuel Bruce died following a shooting with an arson suspect on Oct. 16, 2020.

HOUSTON – KPRC 2 has obtained video from a home in the Heights showing a car set on fire just minutes before Houston Fire Department arson investigator Lemuel Bruce was shot and killed. The video surveillance provided by a homeowner showed a person walking away from a vehicle fire moments before a shootout that left investigator Bruce and an arson suspect dead. RELATED: Houston Fire Department arson investigator dies after shooting in NW HoustonPolice said the shooting happened around 3:30 a.m. Friday in the 2100 block of Seamist Drive and W. 18th Street. HFD Chief Sam Peña said Bruce noticed a vehicle that matched the description of the suspect’s vehicle. Bruce was shot multiple times and was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he later died, according to HFD Chief Sam Peña.

HOUSTON – A Houston Fire Department firefighter is under investigation after being accused of posting racist and bigoted memes on social media. Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña said the department’s Professional Standards Office will investigate the content posted on social media to determine if any violations were committed. In a statement, Peña said posts like these “erode the public’s trust and confidence” in the department“These posts are deeply disturbing and have no place in the Houston Fire Department,” Peña said. “Any current employee involved with bigoted activity will be held accountable.”The accused firefighter has not been named. Peña’s full written statement follows:"These posts are deeply disturbing and have no place in the Houston Fire Department.

HOUSTON – The Houston Fire Department has lost another member due to coronavirus. Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña tweeted Monday that Houston firefighter paramedic Jerry Pacheco, 50, died from complications of COVID-19 on Monday morning. “Please keep the family, friends and station crew of Jerry Pacheco in your thoughts and prayers,” said Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Patrick M. Lancton. Our Houston firefighter paramedic Jerry Pacheco went to be with God this morning,” he said. It is my sad duty to announce that 17 year veteran @HoustonFire⁩ FF Jerry Pacheco has died from complications of COVID-19.

HOUSTON – Mayor Sylvester Turner said that COVID-19 is running rampant in the city of Houston Monday as he announced 1,544 new cases bringing the city’s total to well over 30,000 cases. Turner was joined by Houston’s Health Authority Dr. David Persse and Houston Fire Department Chief Sam Peña, among others. Turner said the virus does not discriminate and will impact anyone who is in close proximity to others. Turner said he wants the economy to remain open but said it is important the city deal with the virus. RELATED: Harris County heat map shows coronavirus cases by ZIP codeHe too urged residents to wear masks.

HOUSTON – The coronavirus is adding strain to the Houston Fire Department, according to a news release. More than 300 Houston firefighters are in quarantine because of potential exposure to COVID-19, according to the release. “The number of firefighters unavailable to report for duty further reduces the availability of personnel and creates an extreme strain on the department,” the release said. “We will respond when called, but I also encourage citizens to help us by following health and safety protocols during the current public health crisis,” Peña said. Do not use fireworks during the July 4th holiday weekend because they can cause fires and create an additional strain on our resources.”

HOUSTON – An electrical spark ignited a propylene leak at a Spring Branch business last week and caused an explosion that damaged more than 400 surrounding buildings, officials said Friday. Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said propylene began leaking from one of the tanks at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing sometime between 1 a.m. last Thursday and 1 a.m. last Friday. ATF investigators said they believe an electrical spark that is a normal part of any electrical system ignited the leaking gas. There is no indication that arson, sabotage or vandalism was involved in the blast, ATF investigators said. Houston police Chief Art Acevedo said patrols of the affected neighborhoods will continue and there have been no reports of looting in the area.

HOUSTON – A new assessment revealed about 450 structures were damaged following a massive, fatal explosion at a business in northwest Houston Friday, according to the Office of Emergency Management and the Houston Fire Department. Debris from the explosion littered the surrounding areas and some nearby residents told KPRC 2 the foundation of their homes was damaged from the shockwave. In the hours following the Friday explosion, HFD Chief Sam Peña said there were about 214 homes that were damaged. (KPRC via Tharindu N)The number of damaged structures was increased to 450 Monday after an assessment by the Office of Emergency Management. Of the 450 damaged structures, officials say:35 structures had major damage358 structures had minor damage57 structures were affectedIt is unclear how many damaged structures were homes and how many were businesses.