A large brushfire in Combine on Tuesday destroyed several structures, including five to six homes and at least three cars.
The fast-moving fire spread throughout several acres near the 1600 block of Jimmy Lane. Firefighters said dry grass and high winds greatly contributed to the fire.
"It was less than 10 minutes, and we already had three structures on fire," Combine Fire Lt. Shawn Phillips said.
"The wind picked up... Then it shifted and went across the street," he said. "We started calling mutual aid from all nearby fire departments to help out."
Phillips said it took close to 10 fire departments and 50 firefighters to extinguish the blaze.
One resident who apparently moved many of his possessions into his yard could be seen guarding them from the fire with only a garden hose.
Texas is currently in the worst one-year drought in state history.
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Meteorologists with the National Weather Service say the drought could last well into the fall.
Phillips said so far this summer, North Texas has been lucky when it comes to large grass fires.
However, days such as Tuesday need to be a wake-up call for citizens when it comes to the extreme fire danger, he said.
"I think it takes something like this for them to realize," he said. "It's very dangerous."
The Dallas Chapter of the American Red Cross is at the site of the fire to assist residents impacted by the fire as well as firefighters.
Combine is located south of Seagoville and Crandall.
