Grass Fire Blamed on Cigarette

GREGG COUNTY — Fire department officials are blaming a cigarette for a grass and woods fire that burned through about 15 acres of land Saturday evening in Gregg County. Gregg County Fire Marshal David Kidder said crews were dispatched to Interstate 20, near the Liberty City exit, Saturday evening around 4:50 p.m. in connection with a fire that had spread from the grass on the roadside, into nearby woods, burning 15 acres of land. Kidder said the cause of the fire was still under investigation, but was “most likely caused by a cigarette.” He noted that the fire was listed as controlled. Kidder said it was important for motorists and residents to remember that the conditions are extremely dangerous for wildfire right now, and the smallest thing could start a wildfire.