Community Risk

Rocket Testing Sparks Houston NASA Grass Fire

June 2, 2011

HOUSTON -- Firefighters battled a large grass fire near NASA in southeast Houston Wednesday afternoon. The fire broke out shortly before 3 p.m. on NASA Parkway at Hospital Boulevard. Several acres burned, including rows of hay bales. The fire was mostly contained by 5 p.m.

Source

HOUSTON --

Firefighters battled a large grass fire near NASA in southeast Houston Wednesday afternoon.

The fire broke out shortly before 3 p.m. on NASA Parkway at Hospital Boulevard. Several acres burned, including rows of hay bales. The fire was mostly contained by 5 p.m.

The blaze was behind Houston Fire Department Station 72 at NASA and near a subdivision. However, the fire was contained before homes were threatened, fire officials said.

NASA officials said the fire started during rocket testing for Project Morpheus, which can carry up to 1,100 pounds of cargo to the moon. NASA said it is not unusual to spark a fire, but it's typically a controlled burn.

No injuries have been reported.