The Duncan Banner

Local News

Related Photos

April 22, 2009

Truck causes blaze near Bray

John Walker

BRAY — BRAY — A grass fire erupted near Bray off of Duncan Lake Road Wednesday afternoon shortly after a pickup truck got stuck in some tall grass.

Bray Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bennie Whaley said that there were about 40 fire fighters fighting the roughly 1/2 mile, north to south, by 3/4 miles, east to west, grass fire.

Firefighters originally thought that the fire was going to reach some houses, so they were prepared to evacuate, but firefighters were able to keep the spreading flames away from the homes, Whaley said.

One factor that helped in fighting the fire was that there was relatively low winds outside, at least compared with the fires that devastated Velma over two weeks ago.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration web site, winds throughout Wednesday held steady in the area between 10 and 15 miles-per-hour with gusts up to about 20 miles-per-hour.

At about 8 p.m. Wednesday, the fire was finally starting to come under control, Whaley said.

"We have about 200 yards of fire line left," he said. "We have just that one stretch left."

Whaley thinks that based on the preliminary investigation, the fire started at about 1:45 p.m. when a one-ton pickup truck pulling a tractor on a trailer got stuck in some tall grass.

There are a multitude of possibilities as to how the pickup truck could have started the fire, he said.

"For example, the tires spinning could have caused sparks to fly," Whaley said.

The truck, tractor and trailer were destroyed in the blaze, but the driver was uninjured, Whaley said.

No other injuries were reported.

Six fire departments assisted Bray: Marlow, Doyle, Empire, Oakridge, Duncan and Velma.

The Stephens County Sheriff's Department also assisted as did the Red Cross, who provided food for the volunteers, Whaley said.

Text Only
Local News
  • DALC gets grant from Dollar General

    Duncan Area Literacy Council will be able to buy some more curriculum for its program with a $3,000 grant it was awarded by Dollar General Literacy Foundation this week.

    May 23, 2012

  • Library prepares for summer reading program

    It might be called a reading program, but there will be far more to do this summer at the Duncan Public Library than just reading.

    May 23, 2012

  • Fame Academy students Nathan Self, Mallory Anderson, Hayden James, Keeton Ruiz, Brianna Coria, Jordan Abbe, Stefeno Ruiz, Adam Baldwin and Leroy Newcomb show off the mural they helped create at the school. They’re gonna live forever

    Through art, the students of Fame Academy made a colorful impression on the town of Meridian.

    May 23, 2012 2 Photos

  • Empire FFA chapter holds awards banquet

    Empire FFA held its annual awards banquet May 8 with a buffet provided by FFA families and the entire chapter.

    May 23, 2012

  • Council discusses property buffer for hotel

    To counteract the removal of a buffer of trees, the Duncan City Council on Tuesday approved a site development plan for the Apollo Estates to create a new kind of buffer.

    May 23, 2012

  • Commission tables water district items

    The board of Stephens County Commissioners tabled bids on two services for the Stephens County Rural Water District 4 for the second consecutive week at the request of the water district.

    May 22, 2012

  • Weekend storm left many in area without power

    The city at large lit up Sunday morning around 8 a.m., with lightning strikes illuminating areas for a split-second at a time.

    May 22, 2012

  • Fire department fundraiser raises more than $12,000

    The Duncan Fire Department raised more than $12,500 during its Fill the Boot fundraiser May 17-18. Funds go to the Muscle Dystrophy Association in Wichita Falls and helps local patients.

    May 22, 2012

  • Dean Backr, left, and Joseph Lujan Carnival crews

    Warmer weather and school letting out means more time for fun in the sun. One of the season’s first opportunities is with the Duncan Lion’s Club Carnival.

    May 22, 2012 2 Photos

  • Arrest made in hit and run

    A Marlow man is in police custody after admitting to law enforcement he was involved with a hit-and-run accident that left the victim with major injuries.

    May 22, 2012