Grass fire causes residents to evacuate

SAN JUAN - Smoke from a grass fire forced residents from their homes Sunday evening.

Firefighters from Edinburg and San Juan responded to a fire off Minnesota Road between Raul Longoria and Cesar Chavez roads after 8 p.m.

The fire did not damage nearby homes, but debris that was ignited by the flames caused thick smoke that billowed toward the homes, forcing residents to flee, said Edinburg Fire Chief Shawn Snider.

Firefighters extinguished the flames in about 10-15 minutes, Snider said.

The fire was likely caused by fireworks and San Juan authorities plan to issue a citation against whoever started the fire, the fire chief said.