The call about the tree came in at about 4:00 p.m., said EPFD Chief Manuel Mello. The fire spread quickly, and by the time first responders had arrived, a large shed had caught on fire. 

“After that the fire jumped to a business, but that was extinguished pretty quick,” said Mello. “Then the fire started going in through the roof of a house and that was when we had the most issues.“

The house suffered approximately $80,000 worth of damages, said Mello. 

Firefighters were trying to control the blaze from about 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., using two hydrants and about 15,000 gallons of water to put it out. 

One of the hydrants was across Del Rio Boulevard, and required EPFD to close off the road.

Three fire trucks were at the scene, along with approximately 30 firefighters. Volunteers and firefighters who were off duty also helped to put out the fire. Not one firefighter was injured, and  Mello said that physical training has greatly helped to keep the department ready for such incidents.

EPFD is still investigating how the tree caught fire, but Mello suspects it was an electrical problem as there were many reports of homes and businesses losing power in the area. 

It is possible that wiring could have been cut and hit the tree, he said, but the exact cause will be determined once the investigation is closed.