A wildfire destroyed nine homes and destroyed 27 homes in Balch Springs, Texas, 15 miles east of downtown Dallas, officials said.
Balch Springs Fire Chief Eric Neal said the total included structures that burned to the ground, as well as structures that suffered relatively light smoke or water damage.
Neal said there was no injuries, although one firefighter required hydration via IV. The first responder was OK, he said.
Balch Springs Fire Marshal Sean Davis said that workers mowing a patch of grass in the area sparked the fire. The grass fire, which was being called a grass fire, moved quickly into a neighborhood along the 14700 block of Broadview Drive.
Davis initially estimated the number of damaged homes at 14 to 20, some of which may have been destroyed.
Acreage consumed by the fire was not available. Suzy Cluse said that she saw the fire's flames and plume start to rise as she looked out her city office's windows during the 3 o'clock hour.
She said it was a grass fire that went out of control.
The residents were ordered to evacuate. The orders remained in effect early Monday evening, even as the fire chief said the blaze and its individual invasions of neighborhood addresses were under control.
The American Red Cross, which is often used to provide temporary shelter in such situations, was at the scene, said Davis, the fire marshal.
NBC Dallas-Fort Worth reported that the Balch Springs Recreation Center was available for people affected by the fire. Cluse said the city planned to secure hotel rooms for residents who need them for the night.
She said the city was helping residents find shelter for their pets.
Investigators and city officials were planted in the community through the night as an official cause was still being sought, Cluse said.
The city manager said that everyone made it out alive, and that is what's important.
Earth scientists have warned that wildland-urban interface fires that rage between natural areas and city neighborhoods could become more frequent and intense as climate change affects the planet.