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Polk county brush fire under control after six homes burn

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published March 4, 2007

FROSTPROOF - Fire officials on Saturday were monitoring the remnants of a brush fire that destroyed six homes as well as several other structures and prompted the mandatory evacuation of hundreds in the area, authorities said.

No injuries were reported after the blaze Friday in a mostly rural area east of Lake Wales. The fire destroyed 14 structures, including the homes and several barns and sheds, county spokeswoman Kristin Guira said Saturday.

Officials estimates between 100 and 500 acres burned and up to 100 homes were threatened at one point, Guira said. Between 100 and 200 homes were evacuated, but residents were allowed to return late Friday night.

"The Division of Forestry is still on site monitoring the scene to ensure the flames don't flare back up," Guira said. Wind gusts of 35 mph caused the fire to spread quickly, Guira said.

Smaller brush fires also occurred Friday in Brevard and Lake counties.

About 10 acres burned in Palm Bay in Brevard County, destroying two sheds and one vehicle and threatening as many as 50 homes, officials said Saturday.

Authorities suspect foul play and charges are expected, said Yvonne Martinez, the city's spokeswoman.

Downed power lines in Lake County along the Florida Turnpike also caused brush fires, forcing authorities to shut down the turnpike for several hours, said Sgt. Christie Mysinger, a spokeswoman for the Lake County Sheriff's Office. No homes were damaged or injuries reported, Mysinger said.

[Last modified March 4, 2007, 00:20:41]