Fire Destroys Home, Travel Trailer, 14 Acres and More, CORRIGAN, August 16, 2022 - On August 15, 2022, Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a burn ban violation off of FM 62, in the Corrigan area of Bryant Road and Pine Groves Road.
Deputies arrived and observed a homeowner attempting to put a fire out that had spread from a burn barrel on his property. As the fire spread quickly to a nearby residence, Deputies immediately attempted to extinguish the flames, with negative results, due to the size of the fire and smoke.
Deputies then quickly began warning other residents of the fire as Fire officials and Texas Forest Service personnel arrived to protect other nearby homes/structures. First Responders worked tirelessly for hours and were finally able to contain the fire.
The fire was caused by a homeowner who was illegally burning household refuse in a burn barrel on his property. The fire/embers escaped from the burn barrel and caught the vegetation on fire, which spread to nearby properties, destroying a home, two structures, a travel trailer, and approximately 14 acres. Although many people suffered severe property loss/damage, no one was hurt in the incident.
Deputies identified the homeowner, who advised Deputies that he was aware of the burn ban. The homeowner was subsequently arrested for Illegal Burning (In Violation of Burn Ban), and booked into the Polk County Jail, without incident. This case is still under investigation with help from the Texas A&M Forrest Service, with additional charges possible.
REMINDER: A BURN BAN IS STILL IN EFFECT IN POLK COUNTY, TX.
