SAN ANTONIO – Crews contained a large grass fire involving at least 10 acres of land near Bulverde Road and TPC Parkway on the North Side Friday night.
“The smoke was very heavy and very dark,” resident Patrick Donahue said. “The properties out here are encouraged to stay natural, which means a lot of fuel for fires.”
Bexar County officials reported no injuries from the fire. Crews evacuated nearly 50 homes in three nearby streets during the fire.
Jerry Bialick, the fire chief of the Bexar-Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department, confirmed one home was destroyed.
“We brought as many trucks as fast as we could get here, but it got ahead of us,” Bialick said.
Bexar County officials said wind helped to spread the fire from initial brush to a nearby neighborhood.
Two separate fire chiefs who responded to the scene said they suspect welding sparks started the fire. The fire marshall has yet to officially confirm the cause.
Neighbors who were evacuated have since been able to return to their homes.
“The rescue teams are just all over it, it gives you a lot of confidence,” Donahue said.
Around 25 units were involved in the effort. The Texas Forest Service assisted with air units to extinguish the fire.
Video is courtesy of Gary Ford.