The Morning News posted audio from the unusual dispatch that brought firefighters to the fairgrounds in Dallas.
"We got a rather tall cowboy, all his clothes burned off," the dispatcher said.
According to the fair's website, Big Tex had just turned 60. It had been upgraded over the years with minor facial reconstruction and mechanical fixes. Its signature "How-dee, folks!" greeting was added after a year on the job.
Lt. Joel Lavender of Dallas Fire-Rescue said the loss of the famed statue didn't hit him until he arrived at the fairgrounds.
I've been here a little over 30 years, I never seen anything like it," he said. "I think it for me it's just the shock of the moment. I already knew what had happened when I got there, but when I saw it firsthand, it brought back memories."
Lavender said coordination between police, fire and fair officials kept attendees out of harm's way while the fire was extinguished. An investigation is underway to determine the cause.
State Fair President Errol McKoy vowed Big Tex would return for 2013's fair. But will it be the same beloved Tex?
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