03/12/2007

Associated Press

Nine homes were destroyed and 200 acres were burned by wildfires fueled by dry conditions and windy weather this weekend in western North Carolina, officials said.

No injuries were reported in fires that started around 3 p.m. Sunday in the Grassy Ridge community in Swain County, where a number of vacation cottages are located. Other homes were evacuated and roads blocked.

Officials said the cause of the fires was under investigation.

"It started in a valley and just forked off, running up every which ridge," said Bryson City Fire Chief Joey Hughes.

Dan Kievit, 75, stayed with his house and sprayed water to protect it.

"I just feel sorry for my neighbors whose houses burned down," Kievit said.

Separate brush fires were reported farther north the French Broad River, but no damage was reported, emergency officials said.

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Information from: The Asheville Citizen-Times, http://www.citizen-times.com