SAN ANTONIO --
A large grass fire threatened homes and an elementary school early Thursday afternoon on the far Northwest Side before firefighters got it under control, KSAT 12 News reported.
The fire, which was reported near Westover Hills and Culebra Road at 12:45 p.m., was blamed on a power line that was toppled by high winds, fire officials said. A motorcyclist riding near the power line on Westover Hills Boulevard when it snapped, was injured and transported to the hospital for treatment, rescue officials said. His condition is not known.
The live wires came in contact with dry brush, and coupled with winds blowing near 40 mph, the fire quickly spread, fire officials said.
The blaze at one time threatened a nearby neighborhood and Myers Elementary, officials said. Northside Independent School District spokesman Pascual Gonzalez said that the kids were safe and parents weren't required to pick them up. Road closures in the area were causing delays for buses transporting students home, Gonzalez wrote in an e-mail.
Nearly two dozen firefighters got the fire under control about 1:45 p.m., but they were remaining on the scene to stop any hotspots from reigniting.
Power was knocked out in the area when the power line snapped and City Public Service crews were working to restore power at 5 p.m.
Wildfire Closes Interstate 10 In Kerr County
A portion of Interstate 10 in Kerr County was closed Thursday due to a wildfire.
Texas Department of Transportation officials said that FM 1338 to FM 479 in Kerr County was closed in both directions.
The wildfire was reported at a picnic area in Gillespie County.
The interstate was reopened shortly before 4 p.m., according to an e-mail from TxDOT officials.
Fire Threatens Homes In South Bexar County
One family escaped moments before a fire reached their doorstep near Highway 16 and Loop 1604 in South Bexar County.
The fire was less than a mile away when she first saw the flames, said Nancy Landeros.
"I was asleep and we saw the fire real close to us and we came outside," she said.
When they went outside, though, Landeros said the winds shifted the flames toward her home, eventually burning several abandoned vehicles and buildings. Firefighter were able to keep the flames away from the Landeros' home.
Firefighters on the scene said about 100 acres were scorched by the fire. Firefighters have not yet determined a cause.
Multiple volunteer fire departments were at the scene keeping an eye on hotspots shortly after 5 p.m.
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