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Fire spreads through Texas town

Other News Materials 1 March 2009 05:17 (UTC +04:00)

A downed power line in a Texas town ignited a fire Saturday that has destroyed at least five buildings and threatens 100 homes, authorities said.

The fire started at about noon (1 p.m. ET) and burned through more than 400 acres in Bastrop, about 30 miles east of the capital, Austin, said George Martinez of the fire department.

Martinez said authorities have evacuated "a couple hundred residents," though he couldn't give specifics, CNN reported.

He said firefighters and officials from the Texas forest service and the National Guard are battling wind gusts of up to 45 mph.

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