FORT WORTH — Flames and smoke provided more than enough holiday excitement Wednesday for homeowners in Fort Worth's Deer Meadows subdivision.
What may have started with fireworks in an empty field near the Burleson city limits took off like a bottle rocket seconds after neighbors heard the familiar sounds of the Fourth of July near FM 1117 and Oak Grove Road.
"The flames came over the trees," Nathan Johnson said. "We ran out and saw them, then called 911."
Fort Worth brush pumpers were on the scene quickly, but strong winds and dry conditions pushed the fire across 160 acres into bordering cul de sacs.
Hershal Shah had a brief moment of panic. "It was pretty scary," he said. "We thought it was going to be evacuated, and what could we grab in five minutes and get out."
Two other fires sparked less than a mile away while the last flames were extinguished. Firefighters from four other departments set up a second line of defense.
"Garages and outbuildings were along that property line, but we protected them and kept it off them," said Fort Worth Fire Department spoeksman Tim Hardemann.
Firefighters couldn't confirm whether the two-hour battle started with fireworks; they were focused on extinguishing the hotspots and preparing for what could be a long night ahead.
E-mail cnorton@wfaa.com
