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Raging wildfires destroy US homes Two dead as wildfires burn in US
(about 2 hours later)
Wildfires have destroyed dozens of homes and forced evacuations in the US states of Oklahoma and Texas, reportedly killing two people. Wildfires have killed two people and destroyed dozens of homes in the US states of Oklahoma and Texas.
Firefighters are struggling to contain the blazes, which started on Thursday and were worsened by strong winds. A number of small towns were evacuated as fire crews struggled to contain the blazes, which ignited on Thursday and were fanned by strong winds.
Dozens more people were injured, two seriously, by the fires, which prompted the closure of a motorway in Oklahoma.Dozens more people were injured, two seriously, by the fires, which prompted the closure of a motorway in Oklahoma.
Meanwhile in neighbouring Arkansas a tornado struck the town of Mena, killing three and injuring at least 22.Meanwhile in neighbouring Arkansas a tornado struck the town of Mena, killing three and injuring at least 22.
Local authorities are assessing the damage and looking for more possible victims.Local authorities are assessing the damage and looking for more possible victims.
The storm uprooted 100-year-old trees, hit Civil War-era homes and tore the roof off a community college.The storm uprooted 100-year-old trees, hit Civil War-era homes and tore the roof off a community college.
The Associated Press quoted the county sheriff as saying the sky turned green before the tornado hit. The Associated Press quoted the county sheriff as saying the sky turned green with debris before the tornado hit.
The tornado and fires are part of a storm system which has caused power cuts and damage all over the south and mid-west US. A woman was injured when a tree fell on her car in Louisiana. The tornado and fires have been caused by a storm system which has led to power cuts and damage all over the south and mid-west US.
'Can't get ahead''Can't get ahead'
Fires damaged around 100 homes and buildings in north-eastern Oklahoma, police said, while two towns in Texas were also badly affected. Fires damaged around 100 homes and buildings in north-eastern Oklahoma, police said, while two towns in northern Texas were also badly affected.
Television footage in the towns of Sunset and Stoneburg showed scores of charred homes, while some blazes still raged. Television footage of the towns of Sunset and Stoneburg showed scores of charred homes, while some blazes still raged.
Local media quoted family members as saying that TV reporter Matt Quinn and his wife Cathy were killed when fires engulfed their northern Texas home. In Texas, a couple were killed and their son injured when fire engulfed their home near Montague, north-west of Dallas.
Oklahoma's health department reported 34 people injured throughout the state.Oklahoma's health department reported 34 people injured throughout the state.
Interstate 35, Oklahoma's main north-south highway, was closed for several hours, as many of the fires were raging alongside it.Interstate 35, Oklahoma's main north-south highway, was closed for several hours, as many of the fires were raging alongside it.
Winds, at one point equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane, have been hindering firefighters.Winds, at one point equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane, have been hindering firefighters.
"The wind is the biggest issue, because we can't get ahead of the fires," said Jerry Lojka, the fire marshal for Midwest City, Oklahoma."The wind is the biggest issue, because we can't get ahead of the fires," said Jerry Lojka, the fire marshal for Midwest City, Oklahoma.
Midwest City police Chief Brandon Clabes described scorched areas as "a war zone", AP news agency reported.Midwest City police Chief Brandon Clabes described scorched areas as "a war zone", AP news agency reported.