Cabin a Total Loss After Fire in Winchester

A home in the Clear Lake Pines Subdivision near Winchester burned Wednesday, Jan. 8.

The home was located at the end of Otto Ln., a deadend street in Clear Lake Pines. Winchester Volunteer Fire Department got the call around 3:47 p.m. Winchester Fire Chief Eddie Schneider said the home was fully engulfed with flames when the first firefighters arrived.

La Grange Volunteer Fire Department, South Lee County Volunteer Fire Department and the Texas Forest Service were all called to assist. Schneider said about 28 firefighters from the four agencies responded.

“It was a total loss,” Schneider said. “With the proximity of the woods, we had to do some wildland fire prevention. It was spreading to the trees. There was a lot of fuel on the ground.”

Schneider said an elderly gentleman lived in the home. He was able to get out unharmed. Schneider said the man had a place to stay and Red Cross assistance was not needed.

“Our biggest problem was getting water to the scene,” Schneider said.

There are no fire hydrants anywhere in Winchester’s fire district. Schneider said his department relied on tankers to deliver water down the narrow, dead-end road.

Schneider said firefighters had most of the blaze extinguished by around 5 p.m. They stayed on scene until around 7 p.m. putting out small hot spots that continued to smoulder.

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and Fayette County EMS assisted at the scene as well.