Rain expected to help ease Oklahoma wildfires

Photo : An estimated 100 homes or other structures were damaged or destroyed in northeast Oklahoma County. Photo :AFP

APRIL 10, 2009 THE STRAITSTIMES Breaking News

FIRE DESTROYS US HOMES

Midwest City (Oklahoma) - Fire crews in Oklahoma and Texas raced Thursday to control wind-whipped wildfires that destroyed dozens of homes, forced evacuations and shut down parts of a major highway.

Howling wind grounded firefighting efforts by air in Oklahoma and drove blazes that scorched neighbourhoods like 'a war zone,' Midwest City police Chief Brandon Clabes said.

'The wind is the biggest issue, because we can't get ahead of the fires,' Midwest City Fire Marshal Jerry Lojka said.

Oklahoma County Sheriff John Wetsel said an estimated 100 homes or other structures were damaged or destroyed in northeast Oklahoma County, which includes Midwest City.

Two small towns in Texas also were devastated by wildfires.

Sunset and Stoneburg in Montague County were left in a heap of debris and ashes after several dozen homes were destroyed.

Television news footage showed burning houses, oil tanks and the charred remnants of buildings.

Near Lindsay, about 55 miles south of Oklahoma City, 13 homes were destroyed and 20 more were being threatened, said Eric Johnson, Purcell's city manager. At least six homes and one church burned to the ground in Carter County and the number of destroyed properties was expected to rise, said Chester Agan, county assistant emergency management director.

LINK : http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/World/Story/STIStory_361948.html