A firefighter was struck by a heat-related medical emergency and a civilian sustained facial burns Thursday afternoon as crews battled a fast-moving grass fire in Kaufman County near Terrell.
The Terrell Volunteer Fire Department responded to the 7000 block of County Road 275 shortly before 3 p.m. after reports of a brush fire in the area. Upon arrival firefighters encountered extreme fire behavior including flame heights reaching 20 feet and trees actively torching.
During the initial attack phase one firefighter collapsed from a heat-related emergency and was treated by emergency personnel on the scene. While that treatment was underway crews discovered a civilian who had attempted to fight the fire independently and was suffering from burns to the face. Both individuals were treated and released without requiring hospital transport.
The Terrell and Elmo fire departments joined the Terrell VFD in a combined effort to bring the blaze under control. Working together the crews successfully contained the fire to approximately seven acres preventing it from spreading further into the surrounding area.
Investigators believe the fire was ignited by welding activity conducted without adequate fire suppression measures in place. The cause remains under investigation as authorities work to confirm the exact origin and circumstances.
A power line was also damaged during the fire. Oncor was contacted and dispatched crews to carry out repairs to the affected line.