State Fair of Texas Icon 'Big Tex' Burns Up In Fire

Big Tex -- the 52-foot-tall metal-and-fabric cowboy that is an icon of the State Fair of Texas -- has been destroyed in a fire.

Television footage showed firefighters around the structure Friday morning. Mostly all that remained of the figure was the metal structure. The fabric that made up the structure's hands and sleeves could still be seen.

Fair officials confirmed to CBS-affiliate KTVT that the blaze started in a motor located in the character's neck.

"We don't know anything just yet. All we can imagine is that something with the electrical wiring went wrong," Sally Womre told the station. "Big Tex is wired to move his head and to speak, so that's what we believe right now."

A Dallas fire spokesman didn't immediately respond to an email message seeking comment.

The fair has been celebrating Big Tex's 60th birthday this year.

With a 75-gallon hat, 50-pound belt buckle and folksy, slow drawl to greet visitors -- "Howdy, folks!" -- Big Tex has been the star of the fair since 1952 and a Texas icon.

The fair closes Sunday.

The Associated Press and CBSDFW.com contributed to this report.