Brush Fire Scorches 40 Acres in Texas

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) -- Dry conditions contributed to a brush fire that scorched 40 acres in South Texas.

Firefighters contained the Thursday afternoon blaze, but not before it destroyed an abandoned house and caused a firefighter second-degree burns. No other injuries were reported.

High winds stoked the flames and allowed the blaze to threaten backyards of more than a dozen homes, said Assistant Brownsville Fire Chief Alfredo Christman.

According to National Weather Service, southeast winds were recorded at 25 mph, with gusts reaching 32 mph. The Rio Grande Valley remains under a moderate drought reported on April 12.

Information from: The Brownsville Herald