March 14, 2006
Texas Fires Rising Toll
Their bodies were found within 50 yards of the car.
"In a last act of desperation you just run for your life, literally," Rankin said. "It's a shocking thing, the loss of life."
Carla Everett, a spokeswoman for the Texas Animal Health Commission, said about 10,000 cattle and horses were believed killed.
"I think it's going to be absolutely devastating once we get out there and look," said Gene Hall, the Texas Farm Bureau spokesman.
Rankin said most of his 1,300-acre ranch was burned, and he was trying to account for his 750 head of cattle. He found 12 dead and had to shoot another. About 500 were back in their pens, and firefighters managed to save his home, Rankin said....." More at USA Today