US

Tornados and wildfires rage in southern US

Article published on the 2009-04-11 Latest update 2009-04-11 15:13 TU

A fire fighter faces a blaze in Texas.
(Photo: AFP)

Tornados and forest fires have cut a swath of destruction across the southern United States from Texas to Tennessee, killing at least eight people, injuring dozens and reducing hundreds of homes and businesses to ash.

Officials in Oklahoma say that one of the fires appears to have been started deliberately.

"We haven't proved that there was malice but we do know that the fire was intentionally set," said Jerry Lojka of the Midwest City, Oklahoma, fire department, according to the French news service, AFP.

The Governor of Oklahoma declared a state of emergency in 31 counties where 62 people were injured and about 200 homes and business were destroyed by the fires and a tornado. 

Over in Texas, three people were killed and 32 homes destroyed, as 49 major fires burned across more than 100,000 acres  (40,500 hectares) in the Lone Star state.

Winds reported to be as strong as 112 kilometers per hour fanned the flames, only making the fires worse.

Some 161 homes have been destroyed in drought-stricken Texas since 1 January as wildfires swallowed some 240,000 acres (97,000 hectares) and the governor of Texas issued an emergency declaration for 199 counties Friday.

The Governor's office activated Texas Military Forces to provide assistance, including two helicopters, in fighting the blazes, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.

In Tennessee, a mother and her nine-week-old baby were killed and 35 people were hurt when a tornado tore through the town of Murfreesboro on Friday, officials said.

Finally, in Arkansas, three people were killed and 23 were hurt after a tornado touched down in the town of Mena on Thursday evening damaging more than 150 homes and businesses in 11 counties.