(Reuters) – Wildfires destroyed 86 homes, a large portion of Carbon, Texas. The Dallas Morning News reported Saturday that four wildfires burning west of Dallas burned 54,000 acres (22,000 hectares), and killed a deputy sheriff who helped people flee.

The four fires, designated as the Eastland Complex, have raged since Wednesday or Thursday in Eastland County, about 120 miles (190 km) west of Dallas, and were about 30% contained, the Texas A&M Fire Service said on Saturday.

Carbon’s population was 225. The paper published photographs of burned homes and reported that 85% were destroyed.

The dispatcher of Eastland Fire Department could not verify the extent of the damage, so he referred questions to Texas Division of Emergency Management officials who were unavailable.

Based on the dispatch of a local reporter, the Morning News stated that Carbon was consumed by the strong winds and the feasting on the dry brush.

Everywhere you look, it seems like an explosion. According to the Morning News, Wendy Forbus, who is a pastor and business owner, said that she has seen the building go up before but not like this.

On Friday, Governor Greg Abbott declared disaster in eleven Texas counties. His office also ordered flags to go to half-staff in Eastland County to honor Barbara Fenley (sheriff’s deputy), his office said.

Fenley drove on Thursday to visit an elderly patient as part of her official duties. Eastland County Sheriff Jason Weger stated that Fenley told KTAB/KRBC television.

Weger stated that Sergeant Fenley fled the road because of the low visibility and extreme deteriorating conditions. He was then engulfed by the flames.