The flames persisted for more than an hour as firefighters worked to save two mobile homes.
William Boatright already started counting his losses as soon as he saw the smoke.
"I was about a mile down the road and I could tell by where these high line wires are, I knew it was right there," he said.
He owns both of the homes, only one was saved.
Boatright could only wait patiently as the other three bedroom trailer went down in flames.
"I don't have to work on them now I just have a lot of cleanup to do," he said.
The Merkel resident didn't live in either one, but was in the process of restoring them before putting them up for sale.
He frequently checks on the homes and his last visit raised a few alarms.
"Two weeks I came out here because my front porch light was out to change it, somebody had shot up my front door," said Boatright.
Now he thinks the fire could have been caused by someone instead of something.
Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Boatright on the other hand remains as positive as he can, just thankful at least one of the homes was saved.
"Oh well, not a problem, just live with it, that's all you can do," he said.
The fire may have burned his property, but it most certainly hasn't destroyed his spirits.
Firefighters from the Merkel, Hawley and Tye departments all helped put out the fire.
Officials at the Taylor Co. Sheriffs office continue their investigation to determine the cause of the fire and whether or not it was an act of arson.
William Boatright already started counting his losses as soon as he saw the smoke.
"I was about a mile down the road and I could tell by where these high line wires are, I knew it was right there," he said.
He owns both of the homes, only one was saved.
Boatright could only wait patiently as the other three bedroom trailer went down in flames.
"I don't have to work on them now I just have a lot of cleanup to do," he said.
The Merkel resident didn't live in either one, but was in the process of restoring them before putting them up for sale.
He frequently checks on the homes and his last visit raised a few alarms.
"Two weeks I came out here because my front porch light was out to change it, somebody had shot up my front door," said Boatright.
Now he thinks the fire could have been caused by someone instead of something.
Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Boatright on the other hand remains as positive as he can, just thankful at least one of the homes was saved.
"Oh well, not a problem, just live with it, that's all you can do," he said.
The fire may have burned his property, but it most certainly hasn't destroyed his spirits.
Firefighters from the Merkel, Hawley and Tye departments all helped put out the fire.
Officials at the Taylor Co. Sheriffs office continue their investigation to determine the cause of the fire and whether or not it was an act of arson.
