A trash fire went out of control in Pawelekville December 5, destroying a carport and two cars inside it.

A woman was outside burning a pile of trash too close to a mass of very thick, tall grass when the fire started around noon that day, according to Karnes City Fire Chief Charlie Malik.

The grass caught fire and began burning very fast, spreading to a nearby carport and threatening the house adjacent to it.

Falls City and Karnes City volunteer firefighters were called out to the scene. Falls City arrived first, getting most of the damage under control. Karnes City came in as backup to assist in containing the grass fire and putting out hot spots.

The property is owned by Elaine Claussen, fire officials said.

Two cars and the entire carport were lost, along with a pile of posts near the carport and several areas of grass. No one was hurt as a result of the fire.

"There wasn’t much that could be done. At least the house didn’t catch," Malik said.

The woman burning the trash was burning it on the ground in the open, not in a barrel.

Malik said he recommends all rural residents who burn trash should observe several safety measures to avoid starting a fire:

·Do not burn items like motor oil, hair spray, or other highly combustible objects.