25 Homes Destroyed in Bastrop County Wildfires

BASTROP, Texas (AP) _ A wildfire fueled by grass, brush and trees has destroyed at least 25 homes and three businesses in Central Texas.

The fire was about 70 percent contained by yesterday afternoon, Texas Forest Service spokesman Lewis Kearney said. A 20-person crew from North Carolina was expected to be on the scene today to help with mop-up duties.

Businesses that were lost in the fire included a cafe and a gift shop.

No additional structures were under threat yesterday, Kearney said, and residents who were evacuated during the night were being escorted back into the area to assess their property. Two of three evacuation shelters were closed.

Bastrop is about 30 miles southeast of Austin.

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