Crews battle tire fire in Texas town for 2nd day

[May 27, 2009]  HAWKINS, Texas (AP) -- Fire crews are keeping up their battle against a fire at an abandoned tire dump that has forced residents of a small Texas town to leave their homes.

Police Lt. A.J. Randell said the crews hope to conquer the flames feeding on thousands of tires on Wednesday but he believes their chances are questionable.

Dense smoke from the fire forced the evacuation of the small town of Hawkins and its schools were closed for a second day Wednesday.

No injuries were reported.

The fire at Foster & Son's Scrap Tire Service was being investigated as arson. The tires were supposed to have been removed years ago.

The site contains millions of tires, but only about 150,000 were burning.

[Associated Press]

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