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  • 15,000 Acres Scorched In Wheeler County 
    Reported by: Tammy Mutasa

    Sunday, Apr 5, 2009 @10:41pm CDT

    WHEELER---Investigators say a downed power line is what sparked the fifteen thousand acre grass fire in Wheeler County. Right now, it's only 25 percent contained and fire fighters are still battling hot spots.
    200 people were evacuated from Wheeler.
    A lot of them came back to nothing, while others are trying to fix what they can.
     "They have to get up tomorrow and go to school, but they don't have any clothes, everything I'm wearing I was given, it breaks my heart," say Desirae Rochelle and Breana Carr.
    It was once their home for five years, now it's their worst nightmare.
    "I was so scared that something worse had happened because I couldn't reach anybody here and I'm thankful my family is okay," says Rochelle.
    "My mom is taking it hard so is my dad, he doesn't know where he's going to put us, he doesn't know how he's going to feed us," says Breana Carr.
    The Carr's house was one of eight structures destroyed by the fire, and a mobile home off Highway 83 was also destroyed and officials say 26 other out buildings were destroyed.
    "We had zero fatalities we had four firefighters that had to to go the hospital they were all treated and released for smoke inhalation and dehydration," says David Rushing.
    Rushing says the fire was under control around three this morning, but is still 25 percent contained.
     "There's still a possibility with these winds that it could move some embers and re-ignite again," says Rushing.
    About 300 fire fighters from across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle helped fight the 15 mile long blaze.
    As for the Carr's for now they're leaning on their family, and they know they're not alone.
     "The community has been so great, they've donated clothes, they've given us money, it's amazing," says Breana Carr.
    Getting this fire under control took real teamwork and effort.
    40 fire departments were at the scene.
    The Texas Department of Transportation sent out bulldozers and maintainers.
    Air takers from New Mexico and Midland dropped retardant.
    Officials will be monitoring the blaze for the next two days.
    People were allowed back into Wheeler yesterday around 6 p.m.
    The assisted living center in Wheeler was evacuated to Elk City, and the hospital was evacuated to Canadian.
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