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Subscribe to RSSNBCDFW.com compiled cell-phone video clips of the fire; view more videos at: http://nbcdfw.com.
Stunned attendees at the State Fair of Texas witnessed the iconic Big Tex go up in flames Friday morning.
Some fabric that made up the towering structure's hand and sleeves could still be seen as firefighters gathered around the scorched area.
Big Tex's 75-gallon hat, 50-pound belt buckle and slow drawl -- "Howdy, folks!" -- have been greeting fair visitors since 1952. This year's fair, which closes Sunday, had been celebrating Big Tex's 60th birthday.
"It's a great loss for us because of its icon stature," fair spokeswoman Sue Gooding said.
Gooding said she didn't know the cause of the fire but did note electrical controls move Big Tex's mouth and head.
Gooding noted that no one was injured in the fire and added that she expects him to be back for next year's state fair.
"He'll be back, bigger and better than ever," she said.
"Dallas is about Big Things and #BigTex was symbolic of that. We will rebuild Big Tex bigger and better for the 21st Century," Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said on Twitter.
LM Otero / AP
Fire begins to engulf "Big Tex" on Friday in Dallas.
Lm Otero / AP
The burned remains of Big Tex stand at the State Fair of Texas on Friday in Dallas.
Bill Bragg, the voice of Big Tex, said all the fair's safety measures were in place and no one was in any danger. Bragg says the fair will rebuild the iconic statue for next year's fair.
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Dickies, the clothing company that creates Big Tex's wardrobe, sent this statement:
“Dickies® has proudly been the official clothier of Big Tex for 15 years. Although we’re saddened by today’s news, we’re confident that together with the State Fair of Texas, Big Tex will return better than ever in new Dickies apparel,” said Matthew McCartin, VP of Marketing, Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co.
LM Otero / AP
A worker hangs onto a surviving hand from "Big Tex" on Friday.
Fair organizers are currently dismantling the framework that was not damaged with a crane.
Ironically, Big Tex had only one more weekend to greet visitors at the fair -- it closes for this year on Oct. 21.
The 52-foot-tall statue that welcomes State Fair of Texas visitors caught fire Friday, and an investigation to determine the cause of the flames is underway. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
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Leave a Comment:
It was a assassination! He shouldn't have been fooling around with Betty Crocker, Aunt Jemima, or Little Debbie.
His mouth was moving so fast that he burst into flames.
Damn...that thing is as tall as one of Romney's garages
This is sad. Big Tex is a classic. Remember him from the old days when he had a checkered shirt.
We love you Big Tex. Please recover from your tenth degree burns.
I think poor ol' Tex is a little beyond the Aloe Vera thing.
That last picture he's sayin to himself...crap Tex gave me another handjob
Big Tex had moobs.
Big-Tex will stand proudly once more over the state fair in Dallas and on a side note he will haunt the dreams of all y'all that come on this forum and denigrate him. Welcome to your worst nightmare. Sweet dreams.
Breaking News from CNN Pres Obama comments on the fire that light up BIG TEX...IT WAS BUSH'S FAULT!! VOTE ROMNEY!!
Braking News former President Gorge W Bush did it
He tried to have a second job as the Marlboro man but couldn't quite get the hang of lighting one up.
OH, well, big tex, big tex could not take the heat anymore. Good bye big tex,
So much for the Marlboro endorsement deal. I first saw him in the movie, "State Fair." I then saw him for the first time 3 years a go. It had not changed since the movie.
Is it just me or does Big Tex's hand look a mite bit chafed? Too much tallywhacking perhaps?
Probably used too much sunscreen... =/
Hank Hill would be in mourning if he were still in production. "King of the Hill" was the only reason I knew "Big Tex" existed. When they rebuild it, maybe Hank and Dale could peer out of one of the openings in the head.
I guess I'd be a little hot under the collar too if I had to wear Dickies all the time.
I was having a poor day until I read this....There is nothing good about Texas.
I disagree, there are a lot wonderful things about Texas and the the people here. The best thing of all is , Danny-3110124 isn't here.
And never again, will he be. Its much nicer living in America.
Anyone else notice the United States flag by the right hand? Even changing the angle of the photo that much you should see the flag in behind the Pre- burned Tex. Just saying.
Interesting, I wonder what's with that? That is a puzzle. Upon second looks it is possible that it was behind Big Tex in the first shot and the Photographer moved to their left for a more frontal view for the second pic.
Something pretty hinky goin' on. This is all one huge conspiracy. It was probably all done on a Hollywood sound stage - just like the moon landing....
He probably caught on fire from one of the food stands deep frying Oreo's or chocolate chip cookie dough!!
Too bad the rest of the Country isn't as proud of where they're from as Texans are. Would be a much better place.
as Jerry Lee Lewis sang When youre Hot youre Hot
I've lived in the Dallas area all my life, and am well acquainted with Big Tex, and I don't even know why this made national news. But I can say that about approximately 75% of what is presented as "news"! Interesting comments, though...I will say that anyone who paints all people of Texas with the same broad brush is just a lazy thinker. Texans ARE African American, Hispanic, Vietnamese, Korean, German, etc., and we all get along remarkably well; as a matter of fact, we really don't think much about it. Yes, there are pockets of intolerance, but that's just the same as every other state.
@Gina, and one crazy Scotch Gaelic- Irishman. ME
Gina,
As a Fort Worth Texan, I can attest to some truth in what you say, but BE HONEST...you know Texas is a regressive state run by white Republicans and it has an educational system and healthcare coverage that rank near the bottom of the nation.
And worse, many Texans take pride in such abysmal statistics.
"IT'S BURST INTO FLAMES! Oh, my! Get out of the way, please! This is one of the worst catastrophes in the world. Oh, the humanity! This is the worst thing i've ever witnessed."
The redneck Stongehenge is gone!
Where, oh where will Texas Republicans go to worship the NRA and fried cowpies now?
I couldn't believe it when our local T.V station morons broke into scheduled programming to announce "breaking news ", and then they went on and on for nearly an HOUR ! You'd think they were talking about a living breathing thing ! Must be a slow day for news here. Save your "breaking news" for things that truly affect peoples' lives. IDIOTS !