State Fire Marshal Announces Origin of "Rock House" Fire
By: Karl Rundgren
Updated: April 18, 2011
MARFA -- More than 190,000 acres have burned as the result of the "Rock House" fire, which started in Marfa on April 9th. A home caught fires just west of town along U.S. 90, and that fire quickly spread. As it was carried by the wind, it scorched thousands of acres, making it's way into Jeff Davis County and finally into the town of Fort Davis.
The State Fire Marshal's Office was called in by the Marfa Volunteer Fire Department to investigate the house fire, and determine what started it. After a full investigation they have now determined that the fire was started by an electrical malfunction inside the west building in that area. The home was vacant at the time, but power was still active.
That fire went on to burn dozens of homes in Fort Davis, and is still burning more than a week later.
The Texas Forest Service now says the blaze is 75 percent contained. Crews are working on the northwest edge of the blaze. They're removing fire fuels to keep the blaze from spreading into a nearby canyon.
