SAN ANTONIO — Parts of Highway 281 North remain closed in far south Bexar County Wednesday evening after several buildings burned down earlier in the day, the emergency worsened by strong winds and dry conditions.
Crews were still putting out hotspots hours later in the area of 281 and Mogford Road. Authorities say the fire started at a south-side home before flames advanced toward Hume and Dixie Lee, burning the structures in its path.
"It was pretty much a wind-driven fire," said Ralph Rodriguez, fire chief for Bexar County ESD 2. "We also had a brush fire that was starting to run away due to the heavy winds."
No injuries were reported, but residents are now trying to determine where they'll shelter after the incident. One man told KENS 5 they saw the flames outside as they were sitting down to eat Wednesday afternoon shortly before 3 p.m. They grabbed their children and made it our safely, including their cat, later found hiding under a fire truck.
Meanwhile, air support dropped water from the sky as crews worked to prevent the flames from spreading to other homes in the area. One other challenge: the area's sandy terrain.
Rodriguez said brush trucks got stuck in the sand as they tried to maneuver the rural neighborhood.
No evacuations were needed Wednesday, and authorities are now working to determine what caused the fire in the first place. Officials said they expect Highway 281 to fully reopen by Thursday morning.
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