Washington, Sep 6 (IANS): A huge wildfire has destroyed about 300 homes near Austin city in the drought-hit US state of Texas, authorities said.
The blaze started Sunday afternoon in the Lost Pines area, about 50 km from Austin, Xinhua reported citing local TV channel Khou. No injures have been reported yet.
Till Monday, about 17,600 acres of land, including half of the Bastrop State Park, was burnt. The fire was still burning unchecked, officials said.
About 5,000 people were evacuated from the affected area, and at least 600 of them have been shifter to shelters.
Dry air, high winds from Tropical Storm Lee and drought conditions in Texas have made fighting the fire extremely difficult.