Schulenburg Firefi ghters Respond to Vehicle Fire, Grass Fires

Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department fought a series of grass fires and a vehicle fire on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Firefighters took a call around 2 p.m. that day reporting a series grass fires on US 77. Schulenburg Fire Chief Jeff Proske said a volunteer firefighter from Hallettsville, Steven Leopold, spotted the fires while driving along on US 77 and reported them to 911. Proske said Leopold stopped at one of the fires near the Hostyn cutoff and was able to stomp it out.

Schulenburg VFD responded with a pair of brush trucks and an engine. One of the fires spread down a steep, brushy embankment near Swiss Alp. Firefighters put it out before the flames spread much past the fenceline.

“Our best guess is that it was a tire blow-out,” Proske said. “We found some pieces of tire laying around.”

Then around 10 p.m. that day, Schulenburg VFD received a call reporting a vehicle fire on Interstate 10. According to a report from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle was a 2006 Nissan Altima. The vehicle was fully engulfed when firefighters arrive, Proske said.

The Sheriff’s Office said the driver reported that the vehicle was overheating, so he pulled it over into the grass. The vehicle then caught fire.

“The people were able to get out and everyone was OK,” Proske said.

The Altima was a total loss, however.

Proske said he’s surprised his department hasn’t gotten more calls for grass fires considering the dry conditions locally. Fayette County remains out of the burn ban for now, but Proske warned residents to exercise extreme caution when burning.

“When the first frost comes, whatever green grass is left will dry up,” Proske said. “If we don’t get some rain soon, we’re going to be in trouble.”