At Least Six Grass Fires This Week Alone In Pontotoc County

A Stratford family had a very close call this afternoon after a grass fire came just feet away from their new home.

Amanda Parker said her family moved into the house about six months ago and were prepared to lose everything when flames took over the back of their yard.

"It came all the way to the fence line," said Parker, "and they didn't know if they were going to be able to put it out because it went all the way around our house. For about two hours we didn't know if it would get the house or not."

The family said they jumped in their vehicles with their three children, five dogs, and whatever they could grab quickly, and headed for the road.

“It was just a little ways to the east of us,” Parker said, "and it was rolling right over the top of us."

The Pontotoc Emergency Management Facebook Page states this would be at least the sixth grass fire crews have had to battle this week.

Firefighters surrounded the Parker’s home, and, luckily, it remained untouched by the raging embers. Family said officials told them that dry conditions and gusting winds help these fires spread.

Other neighbors also had to evacuate. At this time no injuries have been reported.