Illegal Burning Put Out By Firefighters

The West Tawakoni Volunteer Fire Department called the area responders and reported a heavy column of black smoke in the Rabbit Cove area at 1:37 p.m. Saturday.

Two small booster trucks searched for the source of the black smoke from the Rabbit Cave Road area to the Telephone Road area and located a major structure fire at 806 Red Oak.

The responding firefighters quickly determined that the fire started from a controlled burn that the homeowners had started to retrieve metals for recycling. The fire was burning insulation, asphalt shingles and a host of other items that are forbidden to burn in the open air.

The WTVFD firefighters brought in multiple fire engines and a water tanker to extinguish the flames and toxic smoke and called for the assistance of the West Tawakoni Police Department.

The firefighters brought water tanker support to the fire and the blaze was pronounced under control at 5:16 p.m. All WTVFD units left the scene at 5:51 p.m. but a rekindle fire alert was issued at 9:43 p.m. and the fire was extinguished for the last time.

West Tawakoni Police Officer Ash Harmon said, "I issued a citation to the person that started the fire, an illegal burn citation can result in a fine of up to $2,000."

Both the police department and the fire department joined in a statement that only organic wood and grass products may be legally burned in any area of the State of Texas.

The burning of treated lumber, insulation, asphalt shingles, plastics, chemicals, paint, thinners, oil or diesel products, batteries, the insulation from copper or aluminum wire or cable or tires are strictly forbidden by local, state and federal law.

Any burning at night is also illegal. The fire responders also stated that any fire that issues black smoke or burns at night would be investigated and they will possibly call for the assistance of the proper law enforcement officials when needed.