A call went out to the San Saba Volunteer Fire Department last Tuesday, October 4, 2022, to respond to a fire on FM 580 a few miles south of U. S. Highway 190. You could see the smoke from downtown.
Three firefighters stayed at the station in case something else broke out in town, especially since Cherokee and Richland Springs Fire Departments also responded to the fire.
Four campers at a hunters’ camp were destroyed, as well as a small older cabin, but the main home was safe.
Each of the campers had propane bottles in them that exploded, but the big one (250 gallon propane tank) had its pressure relief valve function as intended: flames shot 150 feet in the air, but the tank didn’t explode.
Cause of the fire is unknown. A hunter was out there in another camper, and he heard a loud pop. When he looked out, one of the campers was fully engulfed in flames.
Everyone was safe and unhurt, and the fire was controlled within 90 minutes.
When you see a volunteer firefighter, thank them for their sacrifice and service to their community.