Neighbors react to Wichita Falls double house fire

WICHITA FALLS, Tx (RNN Texoma) - Two houses are a total loss and a couple is recovering after a massive house fire in the 1200 block of 21st Street in Wichita Falls.

Neighbors said it was bad, but could have been much worse.

They also said it's a day they will never forget.

"I've seen fires before and I've never seen one that bad," Neighbor, William Crump said.

Crump lives just off of 21st Street.

He said his neighborhood is a tight-knit community.

So when he saw the fire on Sunday he was scared.

"I thought it was my brother's house," Crump said. "By the time I got down to the corner, I saw it wasn't his house. It was the empty house across the lot from him.

But soon after, it did catch another house on fire displacing two people he did know.

"We will wave and we will talk," Crump said. "They're just really friendly neighbors and they are quiet. Just like everybody around here, everybody sticks to themselves but they watch out for everybody around here. They pretty much lost everything. Luckily they are still alive and healthy."

Crump said the fire caused lots of damage just from the heat.

He said he counted eight properties that were affected in some way, whether it was a grass fire, paint melting on peoples cars, cracked windows, blinds melting, or melted trash cans.

"It was so hot I felt like if I had a stick and marshmallows I could have roasted marshmallows there," Crump said.

He said the quick response of the Wichita Falls Fire Department is to thank for the fires not spreading more than they did.

As for the couple that was displaced, Crump said they will remain in his thoughts and prayers.

"We were really, really lucky," Crump said. "My heart goes out to the couple that lost their home. But the Lord will be with them. They're going to bounce back. And I know him. He will."

The displaced couple told News Channel 6 they don't know what they will do next and plan on just taking it day-by-day, adding they've lived there 20 years.

Crump said the neighbors they did all they could to help as well.

He said he provided the fire department with a large case of bottled water, and many other neighbors did the same.

Crump said many neighbors believe a propane tank might have exploded.

But WFFD tells News Channel 6 the cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation.

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