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Two dead as wildfires burn in US Storm system ravages southern US
(about 6 hours later)
Wildfires have killed two people and destroyed dozens of homes in the US states of Oklahoma and Texas. Tornadoes and wildfires fuelled by strong winds have caused widespread destruction in the southern US, leaving at least eight people dead.
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. The storms killed two people in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on Friday and three in the small Arkansas town of Mena on Thursday night.
Dozens more people were injured, two seriously, by the fires, which prompted the closure of a motorway in Oklahoma. Wildfires in Texas killed at least three people.
Meanwhile in neighbouring Arkansas a tornado struck the town of Mena, killing three and injuring at least 22. Oklahoma declared a state of emergency in more than 30 counties after fires destroyed more than 100 homes.
Local authorities are assessing the damage and looking for more possible victims. A marshal in Midwest City said at least one fire was thought to have been started deliberately.
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 with debris before the tornado hit.
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.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' 'Out of nowhere'
Fires damaged around 100 homes and buildings in north-eastern Oklahoma, police said, while two towns in northern Texas were also badly affected. Murfreesboro was struck by the tornado around lunchtime.
Television footage of the towns of Sunset and Stoneburg showed scores of charred homes, while some blazes still raged.
Three people died when a tornado destroyed homes in Mena, ArkansasThree people died when a tornado destroyed homes in Mena, Arkansas
In Texas, a couple were killed and their son injured when fire engulfed their home near Montague, north-west of Dallas. Emergency Management Agency dispatchers said the area had been "heavily impacted" and 30 people were also injured.
In Arkansas, the storm uprooted 100-year-old trees, hit Civil War-era homes and tore the roof off a community college.
"This one popped out of nowhere," said Polk County Sheriff Mike Oglesby.
Scores of homes in the Texan towns of Sunset and Stoneburg were charred.
The victims in Texas include a couple whose home was engulfed by flame 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, were 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.
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".