Texas State Fair Mascot ‘Big Tex’ Destroyed by Fire

Big Tex has been a fixture at the State Fair of Texas for as long as residents can remember. Today, the 52-foot-tall statue went up in flames.

Dallas firefighters say the fire -- believed to be electrical in nature -- is under control, but Big Tex has been destroyed. The structure had just recently gotten an upgrade to make its outfit more current. The fair is celebrating Big Tex's 60th birthday this year.

[via Dallas Observer]