Hays County Fire Marshal investigation determines cause of Kyle fire

An investigation conducted by the  Hays County Fire Marshal has determined the cause of a fire that broke out on Nov. 27. 

The Hays County Fire Marshal, who was requested by Kyle Fire Department, responded to a fire in the 3800 block of Dacy Lane in Kyle on Nov. 27. 

Following the fire investigation, the fire marshal determined that the occupant was smoking a turkey in a wood-fired smoker, which was located between the home and an out building and carport that contained a travel trailer, officials said. 

According to the Hays County Fire Marshal, the smoker was left unattended for approximately 30 minutes after the occupant went inside the home. Once the occupant discovered the fire, they called 911. The metal door of the smokers’ fire box was found in the open position and winds were blowing from the north/northeast at 23 mph, officials said. Embers from the fire caused materials in the immediate area of the smoker to ignite and spread to a shed and the travel trailer, which caused one of the tires to catch fire and explode, according to the county fire marshal. 

Officials say the fire continued to spread to an outbuilding and another vehicle before the Kyle Fire Department extinguished the fire. A nearby home was also saved by the fire department. No one was injured and the loss is estimated at $10,00. 

The cause of the fire is accidental, the fire marshal said.

Following the incident, the county fire marshal offered tips for cooking fire safety: Cook only in an approved appliance that is in good working condition; do not use cooking appliances or fires on balconies or within 10 feet of a structure or combustible material; all fires shall be supervised by a competent adult at all times until the fire is extinguished; have a portable fire extinguisher or water hose nearby for emergencies and do not use open flame devices in a wildfire risk area.