More than 200 people are sheltering in a church in Fritch, Texas, after raging wildfires forced people to flee their homes Tuesday afternoon, church leaders say.
"We have a lot of people at the facility who confirmed they lost their homes," Celebration Family Church pastor Dwight Kirksey told CNN. "Of course, they're devastated and heartbroken."
A team of more than 50 volunteers has been consoling the displaced community members, said Kirksey, who also serves as Hutchinson County commissioner.
"They've been comforting the needs of the heart with hugs and embraces and letting them know that they're here with us and alive and we'll get through this."
Outside, thick smoke has darkened the sky and reduced visibility to about 100 yards or less, Kirksey said. Bobby Mac, a church elder, said some homes can be seen burning from the church.
Several people sheltering at the church initially tried to ride out the blaze but had to flee when flames reached their homes, Mac said.
Mac described the residents of West Texas as tough and resilient, so he's not surprised they decided to hunker down.
"But when a wildfire is blowing through your town there's not a whole lot you can do," he said.