WISE COUNTY, Texas — A dump truck crash led to an 80-acre grass fire in Wise County late Wednesday, officials said.
Around 8:51 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, Rhome Fire-Rescue says crews, along with neighboring departments were called to Highway 287 at Pioneer Road in response to a reckless driver.
As emergency crews were en route to the scene, additional calls concerning a grass fire, vehicle fire and structures on fire came in. Crews said a large plume of heavy smoke and a large orange glow could be visible from miles away.
When crews arrived, they saw downed power lines and power poles, a residential structure surrounded by flames of a large grass fire, and a fully involved commercial dump truck fire near the home.
A fire official at the scene told WFAA the fire happened after the dump truck was driving the wrong way on U.S. 287. The truck went off the ramp on a service road and hit a power pole, knocking down power lines.
Officials said the first four law enforcement officers on scene were able to pull the dump truck driver to safety, and the driver was treated at the scene by Wise County EMS.
More than a dozen agencies responded with over 50 emergency response units from various fire departments were called to scene to help extinguish the blaze.
By 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, officials said the fire was contained. And although some structures were threatened and some residents in the area were evacuated, no structures were lost and no injuries were reported.
Officials said the fire had also caused power outages in the Rhome area. Around 1,100 customers were without power as of 10:30 p.m., according to the emergency management department.
The power was restored by the end of the night.
By early Thursday, the fire remained contained and crews were monitoring hotspots.