FLOWER MOUND — It was anything but a merry Christmas for two Flower Mound families. Fire destroyed one family's home. The other suffered extensive damaged after their Christmas tree caught fire.
It was also a taxing night for firefighters, who needed help from at least three other departments.
With blustery conditions outside, Mike and Lisa Tobin and their four children spent Christmas Eve at home. As Lisa prepared their holiday dinner, Mike decided to light a candle with a long fireplace match.
As he lit the match, a small piece of the match tip ignited and flew off into the tree. He said it was less than 30 seconds before the tree was engulfed in flames.
"I grabbed it and tried to drag it out of the house," Tobin said. " Lisa tried to grab a fire extinguisher. By the time she got back, it was too hot to even get close to."
Flower Mound firefighters were already out battling a large house fire on Lavon Drive. More manpower was needed to help.
So firefighters from Double Oak and Carrollton responded to the Tobin residence fire.
"The kids, the wife — everybody is OK, so I'm happy with that," Mike Tobin said.
Flower Mound Fire Chief Eric Metzger said live Christmas trees can often be a fire hazard. Some are cut as early as late September.
"We'd love to see people look at their trees to see if they're dry," Metzger said. "If they are, get them out of the house. It's not uncommon to see this."
Tobin said he followed all the tips for keeping his tree safe. "We watered it. We did everything we did to keep it moist," he said. "Even so, it got torched."
After hearing about the other house fire, the Tobins say at least their house is salvageable, unlike the one on Lavon Drive, which was gutted.
E-mail sstoler@wfaa.com
