Posted 9:39 pm Sunday, September 04, 2011
Woman, Toddler Lose Lives To Fast-Moving East Texas Wildfire
Updated Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 9:39 p.m. CDT
BY KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
GLADEWATER - A woman and her 18-month-old daughter lost their lives in a fast moving wildfire that claimed every home on their block Sunday afternoon, officials said.
Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano told the Tyler Morning Telegraph the fatal fire happened on Lincoln Springs off Old Gladewater Higway between Gladewater and Liberty City.
"This is rough and very hard to deal with," Cerliano said.
The long-serving sheriff said the fire that claimed their lives started some distance away from the home, but the woman and her child were unable to get out of the house before it was consumed by fire.
Officials across East Texas are still fighting fires at this hour and Texas Forest Service personnel the total acreage burned at more than 1,000.
Fire officials say structures in multiple counties were lost, but there were not any additional fatalities.
Staff Writer
GLADEWATER - A woman and her 18-month-old daughter lost their lives in a fast moving wildfire that claimed every home on their block Sunday afternoon, officials said.
Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano told the Tyler Morning Telegraph the fatal fire happened on Lincoln Springs off Old Gladewater Higway between Gladewater and Liberty City.
"This is rough and very hard to deal with," Cerliano said.
The long-serving sheriff said the fire that claimed their lives started some distance away from the home, but the woman and her child were unable to get out of the house before it was consumed by fire.
Officials across East Texas are still fighting fires at this hour and Texas Forest Service personnel the total acreage burned at more than 1,000.
Fire officials say structures in multiple counties were lost, but there were not any additional fatalities.
Updated Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 6:48 p.m. CDT
Ben Wheeler Fire Caption Chris Meyer told the Tyler Morning Telegraph a fire in the Ben Wheeler-area will require another 2 to 3 hours to fully contain.
He said about 50 firefighters from multiple departments are spread across 300 acres battling the fire.
Meyer said no major structures had yet become involved and that no injuries had been reported.
Firefighter believe this Ben Wheeler blaze was started by a downed power line along Highway 64.
He said about 50 firefighters from multiple departments are spread across 300 acres battling the fire.
Meyer said no major structures had yet become involved and that no injuries had been reported.
Firefighter believe this Ben Wheeler blaze was started by a downed power line along Highway 64.
Updated Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 5:20 p.m. CDT
Evacuations of residential areas threatened by wildfires are underway in Smith, Van Zandt and Gregg counties, as winds in excess of 30 miles per hour continue to fan the flames.
At Manny Johnson Road in eastern Smith County, a wildfire just crossed a road as firefighters tried in vain to stop it. Evacuations are being ordered for sections of Winona, Gladewater and Ben Wheeler.
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At Manny Johnson Road in eastern Smith County, a wildfire just crossed a road as firefighters tried in vain to stop it. Evacuations are being ordered for sections of Winona, Gladewater and Ben Wheeler.
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Updated Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 2:50 p.m. CDT
A fire which began in Rusk County has now crossed over into Smith County near County Road 26, and several homes are in danger in that area, according to authorities. Law enforcement agencies are being called in to evacuate people from homes considered at risk.
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By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
Residents on Parker Road near the Tyler Pounds Field airport are watering down their properties with water hoses as firefighters from multiple departments rush to put a fire out as winds gust upwards of 30 miles per hour.
The fire started near Tyler Pounds Field Regional Airport, due to a power line coming down in the high winds, and the fire quickly spread. Multiple roads in the area near the airport are closed as firefighters try to extinguish the flames.
One homeowner, Jason Martin, said 45 minutes before he noticed the fire, the power flickered on and off. Then when he let out his dog, he smelled the smoke.
“This is kind of scary. All I'm doing is trying to prevent anything from catching on fire,” he said as black smoke billowed behind him.
Smith County fire Marshall Jim Seaton said the airport fire is one of six in the county at this time, and due to high winds, air support may not be available today. Seaton said the forest service is worried about putting “birds in the air” due to crew safety concerns.
Van Zandt County Sheriff Pat Burnett said in the Van area, there are actually several fires that were sparked when a transformer exploded. The high winds spread the hot debris and flames quickly.
TylerPaper.com will post additional details as they become available.
Updated Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 1:36 p.m. CDT
Staff Writer
Residents on Parker Road near the Tyler Pounds Field airport are watering down their properties with water hoses as firefighters from multiple departments rush to put a fire out as winds gust upwards of 30 miles per hour.
The fire started near Tyler Pounds Field Regional Airport, due to a power line coming down in the high winds, and the fire quickly spread. Multiple roads in the area near the airport are closed as firefighters try to extinguish the flames.
One homeowner, Jason Martin, said 45 minutes before he noticed the fire, the power flickered on and off. Then when he let out his dog, he smelled the smoke.
“This is kind of scary. All I'm doing is trying to prevent anything from catching on fire,” he said as black smoke billowed behind him.
Smith County fire Marshall Jim Seaton said the airport fire is one of six in the county at this time, and due to high winds, air support may not be available today. Seaton said the forest service is worried about putting “birds in the air” due to crew safety concerns.
Van Zandt County Sheriff Pat Burnett said in the Van area, there are actually several fires that were sparked when a transformer exploded. The high winds spread the hot debris and flames quickly.
TylerPaper.com will post additional details as they become available.
Updated Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 1:36 p.m. CDT
