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thedrifter
03-02-09, 07:42 AM
Marine takes leave to save family home

Updated: Monday, 02 Mar 2009, 12:03 AM CST
Published : Sunday, 01 Mar 2009, 11:26 PM CST
Erin Cargile

BASTROP (KXAN) - A massive fire in Bastrop County burns for two days. 1,200 acres were destroyed by the fire that flared up Saturday afternoon.

As of Sunday 27 homes and 12 businesses were destroyed in the blaze. By 10:00 o'clock Sunday night officials said the fire was 70% contained. Fire officials used Chinook helicopters to extinguish the blaze which became even fiercer by strong winds.

Jan Fulkerson with the Texas Forest Service said "Right now the questions being asked at the center: 'Is my house still there, and when can we go back in?'"

Daniel Franco whose childhood home was saved says he got a call from his mom and she was just freaking out saying she had to evacuate. He says it just happened so fast.

Franco had to take emergency leave from the Marines in order to fly home and save his parents house. Fire crews were able to save his home by bulldozing a fire block around the back.

The flames stopped just ten feet from the back door and picked right back up in a pasture across the highway. Franco's next door neighbors weren't so lucky, that home was destroyed.

Homes on Cottle Town Road were destroyed in the blaze. Residents were allowed to see their homes Sunday evening for about two hours. Some were seeing the devastation for the first time.

Animal control workers also made it back to the damaged areas to save dogs. Sherri Holmes said the fire makes you realize what is really important to you.

The most important part of this story is that nobody was injured or killed by this massive 1,200 acre blaze.

The Texas Forest Service said there is a chance some families will be able to visit their homes on Monday but it's not known when they will be able to return permanently.

For now some residents are being housed at the Smithville Recreation Center, First Baptist Church and the Heart of Pines Fire Department in Bastrop.

Ellie