Fire burns 10 square miles near Lawton

NEWS 9

LAWTON, Okla. - A grassfire burned about 10 square miles near Lawton Saturday afternoon.

The fire started at about 2:30 p.m. east of Lawton in Comanche county. Officials have reports a welder may have started the fire, said Chris Kilmer, the county's public information officer.

The fire forced authorities to evacuate 45 homes. Some buildings were burned, but no homes were destroyed, Kilmer said.

At 6 p.m. Kilmer told NEWS 9 the fire was contained and the 22 fire departments on the scene were focusing on putting out remaining hot spots.

Crews will remain on the scene throughout the night to watch for flare ups, Kilmer said.