Mineral Wells Area News

PALO PINTO, Texas — A dryer fire at the Palo Pinto County Jail was quickly contained Sunday after prompting a multi-station response, officials said. No injuries were reported.

The incident began when Station 5 was dispatched for a possible dryer fire at the facility. The situation was subsequently upgraded to a structure fire high-risk response, bringing additional units from Station 16 and Mineral Wells, along with a duty chief.

“Staff on location already used a fire extinguisher to try and get most of the fire out, but there was still light smoke in the structure,” said Palo Pinto County Fire Chief Danny Watkins. “We started doing a further investigation and found that there was some extension on the roof.”

Firefighters deployed to the roof where they discovered fire had spread through the exhaust vent. Crews used multiple hand lines to extinguish the blaze, which damaged the dryer, roof exhaust vent, and part of the roof decking.

“All protocols and procedures were followed,” Watkins said, noting that inmates were kept secure throughout the incident.

Responding units included Engine 5, Engine 7, Engine 16 from Mineral Wells, Chief 1, Battalion 1, and Mineral Wells Chief 2.