Cresson home escapes fire damage Friday

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August 13, 2012

Cresson home escapes fire damage Friday

Christin Coyne CNHI The Weatherford Democrat Mon Aug 13, 2012, 08:00 AM CDT

PARKER COUNTY — A fast, heavy response from many fire departments across several counties helped save at least two Cresson homes from a large, fast-moving grass fire around 3 p.m. Friday in the Slocum Ranch area, residents said.

Beth Joy said she and her family had just finished eating lunch and her husband, Bob, left the house in his truck, when he called and told her to call the fire department.

The grassfire approached within several dozen yards of the house but firefighters circled around and managed to stop it, Joy said.

“We were really worried they were going to lose their home,” Parker County Fire Marshal Shawn Scott said.

The fire was exhibiting aggressive behavior that he has not seen since last summer, Scott said.

The fire appeared to start in a field near their property, according to Joy. It burned quickly through the long grass in the pasture where a renter had recently removed his cows before approaching the house.

Winds shifted at least once, blowing heavy smoke across nearby highways and train tracks and the trains were shut down for a period of time, according to neighbors.

The fire also neared the Joys’ neighbors’ house, though it was saved, too.

“God bless those people,” Joy said.

Though the fire was located in Hood County, it was initially dispatched as a Parker County fire based on the description of the location, Scott said.

Parker County dispatched three alarms, including Cresson, Aledo, Weatherford, Millsap, Brock-Dennis, Springcreek, and Greenwood.

Departments from other locations, such as DeCordova Bend Estates/Acton, Granbury, Godley and Tolar, also responded.

After driving around the scene, Scott estimated the fire at more than 300 acres.

The fire was under control by early evening.

The Democrat was unable to reach the Hood County fire marshal Friday regarding the cause of the fire.

Scott said he expects to recommend county commissioners renew the burn ban this week.