A house in Steiner Ranch was badly damaged by fire Tuesday afternoon.

Hudson Bend and Austin F.D. firefighters raced to the 3400 block of Cowden Drive in the Grimes Ranch Estates in Steiner Ranch off RM 620 just after 3 p.m.

Crews had to fight the fire defensively, and flames were still burning more than an hour after the initial call.

The flames had been snuffed out before 5:30 p.m.

Fire officials say the fire started behind the house and wind fanned the flames toward the house. The winds blew at speeds estimated to be as strong as 25 mph.

Hudson Bend Fire Department

Courtesy Hudson Bend FD

No one was home, and no surrounding homes were damaged.

Damages were estimated at $500,000.