Firefighter critically injured after tanker truck accident in Hardin County

A Hardin County firefighter was critically injured and lost an arm, while a truck driver suffered minor injuries in a series of events that began shortly before 6:00 on Thanksgiving morning.

According to KFDM 6 News, emergency crews responded to an accident on Highway 105 just east of Sour Lake, and arrived to find that an 18-wheeler tanker truck, carrying 6,700 gallons of crude oil, had left the roadway, overturned, and then caught on fire.

Officials had to shut down the highway, and they also evacuated nearby homes.

While emergency crews were at the scene, another 18-wheeler, which wasn't involved in the incident, backed over a volunteer firefighter Kim Huckabee , who was helping to direct traffic. She was taken to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont where doctors had to amputate her left arm near the elbow. At last word, she remained in critical condition.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the driver of the tanker truck may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

Story and photograph courtsey of KJAS Radio.

Jasper, Sabine & Tyler County End A Near Nine Month Burn Ban

Officials in Jasper County announced on Tuesday that after reviewing the amount of rain received earlier in the day a decision had been made to drop the ban on all burning in the county. The decision allows resident to burn trash and yard debris as needed and also allows individuals to have camp fires. The move comes after months of prohibiting such fires due to the extreme drought conditions that have existed. On Tuesday, Jasper and the surrounding area received anywhere from 1.36 to 1.5 inches of rainfall as a line of thunderstorms moved through the area. Officials in both Tyler and Sabine Counties also lifted the ban on burning there on Tuesday morning. The ban on burning in nearby Newton County ended last week. Citizens are urged to be aware of the dangers associated with burning.