By Lisa Tipton
The Abilene Reporter-News
BROWNWOOD, Texas — A fire south of Lake Brownwood forced the evacuation of 660 campers at the Heart of Texas Baptist Camp and Conference Center as well as nearby homes.
Campers were taken by school bus about 3:30 p.m. Thursday to the Brownwood Coliseum, where theAmerican Red Cross and Salvation Army provided water and snacks.
It took fire crews about four hours to extinguish the almost 100 acre blaze. The Texas Forest Service assisted in putting out the fire in an area that is described as rugged and dense by local offcials.
One firefighter injured his shoulder and another suffered heat stroke during the operation, the Brownwood Fire Department said. No other injuries were reported.
A cigarette was the cause of the blaze, Brownwood Fire Marshal Buddy Preston said. The preteen church campers, who were from Brown County, Bronte, Veribest, Lubbock and Odessa, were either picked up by parents at the coliseum or taken home by bus. The camp session was scheduled to end today.
Although the fire did not damage property at the camp, heavy smoke was reported before the evacuation.
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