By Associated Press - Monday, May 12, 2014

FRITCH, Texas (AP) - About 40 evacuees have spent the night at a high school gymnasium after a wildfire burned as many as 75 homes in the drought-stricken Texas Panhandle.

An official with the Sanford-Fritch Independent School District says classes were canceled Monday due to the fire near Fritch, 30 miles northeast of Amarillo.

Superintendent Jim McClellan says the gymnasium was opened to evacuees after the fire started Sunday afternoon.

McClellan says several students and staff members lost houses in the fire. Hutchinson County emergency management officials estimated at least 75 homes burned.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says no injuries were immediately reported in the fire between Fritch and nearby Lake Meredith.

Sr. Trooper Chris Ray says Highway 136 through Fritch reopened Monday.

Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.

Click to Read More and View Comments

Click to Hide