Truck sets fire near H’wick home

A Howardwick residence was threatened Sunday after a truck set grass on fire near Carroll Creek.

Howardwick Fire Chief Will Jordan said a pickup owned by Tim Britten got into some grass and brush and heat from the vehicle’s catalytic converter started the fire.

Volunteer firemen were paged to the scene about 5 p.m. Three Howardwick trucks and five firemen responded to the fire and had the problem contained in about 2½ hours, Jordan said.

The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department also responded.

Jordan said the fire burned about two acres or less and came within 15 feet of a residence. A strong wind could have made the situation much worse, the chief said.

Jordan reminds citizens that Howardwick is a certified Fire Wise Community. Volunteers have been trained by the Texas Forrest Service to help citizens minimize fire risks on their properties.

“Fires are going to happen,” Jordan said, “but there are many different things you can do to protect your home.”

For a Fire Wise assessment, Howardwick citizens can call City Hall at 874-2222.

Clarendon firemen have also been busy in the last several days.

On Monday, the CVFD responded to a call at 308 E. Sixth where a power line made contact with a tree, burning up a fence and threatening two homes, Fire Chief Jeremy Powell said.

Clarendon also joined firemen from Groom, McLean, Mobeetie, and Lefors in assisting the Hoover Volunteer Fire Department with a grass fire south of Pampa near SH 70 last Friday.

Local officials remind everyone to use extreme caution as dry conditions continue to create a high threat for wildfires.