Texas Home Destroyed by Fire on New Year's Day

Jan. 02--HUDSON OAKS -- A Hudson Oaks family started off the new year with the tragic loss of their home.

A fire heavily damaged a large, two-story home in the 200 block of Dorris Court while the homeowners were away Sunday afternoon.

ESD No. 3, along with paid and volunteer fire departments from Weatherford, Willow Park, Greenwood and Aledo, responded to the 2-alarm structure fire around 4 p.m. Sunday, ESD No. 3 Chief Pat English said. It was heavily involved by the time firefighters arrived and proved to be a challenging fire to fight because of the structure of the home and an unstable roof.

However, firefighters were able to bring a line inside and structurally save one wing of the house, where neighbors told firefighters the family had a music studio, according to English. They were also able to save some items inside, though there was considerable water damage even in the standing wing.

Firefighters attacked the fire from both sides of the house Sunday evening, including from the roof of an attached garage, as others carried boxes, musical equipment, including an ash covered guitar case, and other items from it.

"It was a substantial loss," English said.

Nothing was showing by the time firefighters left the scene late Sunday but, about an hour after leaving, firefighters responded to a rekindle at the home, according to English.

The Hudson Oaks department also went out to the scene again Monday morning.

The couple's dog, feared to be in the house at the time of the fire, was later located at a neighbor's home, neighbor Teri Ogle said.

Ogle said the homeowners, Ken and Susan Halford, were in Dallas at an event at the time of the fire.

When the family arrived home, they stood in the front lawn, one woman wrapped in a pink blanket, watching as flames and smoke continued to appear around areas of the damaged roof.

Ogle said neighbors and people with the homeowners association showed up to help with food, blankets and coffee.

The Red Cross also arrived on scene Sunday evening to support firefighters, who already had a busy New Year's weekend responding to grassfires across Parker County, and provide any necessary help to homeowners.

The couple's home wasn't the only thing hit by the fire. Ogle said Ken Halford worked out of his studio built in the home.

According to a biography on Halford's website, he works as a producer for Bob Kingsley's Country Top 40 and is a musician, songwriter, producer, engineer and arranger. Halford is also the praise and worship leader at Grace Community Church of Weatherford.

The cause of the fire hadn't been determined yet Monday, English said.

The Democrat was unable to reach the Parker County Fire Marshal's Office investigator by deadline.