Wyoming Fire Causes $1 Million In Damage

Sept. 20, 2004
Firefighters on Sunday were close to containing a fire apparently sparked by children that blew out of control and destroyed dozens of vehicles, several outbuildings and tons of hay at a livestock barn.

RIVERTON, Wyo. (AP) -- Firefighters on Sunday were close to containing a fire apparently sparked by children that blew out of control and destroyed dozens of vehicles, several outbuildings and tons of hay at a livestock barn.

Nine people, including seven firefighters, suffered minor injuries, officials said. Residents of about 80 homes were allowed to return home Sunday morning after being evacuated.

``I'm guessing about a million dollar fire loss,'' Riverton Fire Marshal Matt Lee said. ``It appears to be children being careless with fireworks,'' Lee said.

It was not immediately clear if any charges would be filed.

The blaze began Saturday afternoon along the river on the Wind River Indian Reservation, and was fanned by 35 mph winds. About 300 acres of trees, brush and grass were scorched, and extensive damage was reported at a car lot and an RV dealership, along with hay stacks at a livestock sale barn.

``We stopped the fire from coming into Riverton,'' Lee said. ``I guess we're kind of proud of ourselves to get it stopped there at the bridge. It could have been a lot worse.''

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