Firefighter suffers heat exhaustion as tires burn

SAN BENITO, Texas — Investigators say one firefighter has been treated for heat exhaustion battling a South Texas blaze that destroyed several thousand tires.

San Benito Fire Marshal Henry Lopez said Tuesday that most of the fire has been extinguished and crews concentrated on hot spots. The cause of the fire is sought.

Lopez says no homes had to be evacuated in the fire that started Monday night, sending out plumes of black smoke. He says the smoke has dissipated by morning and there's no danger to the public.

Lopez told The Associated Press that the property owner has been contacted and authorities are trying to determine if the tires were being stored or had been discarded.

San Benito is about 15 miles northwest of Brownsville.

Tire Fire in San Benito Causing Concerns | Texas-Fire.com

Thousands of tires continue to burn at an illegal dump site in San Benito. The fire broke out around 6 p.m. Monday in a field near the intersection of Joines and Barlow.

Firefighters say they were forced to let the fire burn itself down a little before battling it because of intense heat put off by the tires. Temperatures reached upward of 2,000 degrees. Crews from three Lower Valley cities helped fight the fire. So far, one structure was destroyed, but no one was injured. Investigators say one firefighter has been treated for heat exhaustion battling a South Texas blaze that destroyed several thousand tires.

San Benito Fire Marshal Henry Lopez said Tuesday that most of the fire has been extinguished and crews concentrated on hot spots. The cause of the fire is sought. Lopez says no homes had to be evacuated in the fire that started Monday night, sending out plumes of black smoke. He says the smoke has dissipated by morning and there’s no danger to the public. San Benito is about 15 miles northwest of Brownsville.