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Brevard County, Florida has seen two days of fires that have destroyed over 50 homes and still threatens more houses and businesses. Interstate 95 has been closed off and on during the day today while many Palm Bay and Malabar schools have been shut down due to the threat of approaching fires and smoke.

Florida Governor Crist declared Brevard County in a state of emergency at 4:00 this afternoon as firefighters from nearby counties had already been in action helping the local fire departments try to contain the fires that spread from Cocoa to Malabar.

 Homes and local businesses were threatened this afternoon when a large brush fire broke out near the intersection of Wickham Road and Parkway in Melbourne. Brevard County Fire Rescue has established a brush fire information line at 321-637-5550 to provide information about brush fire activity, evacuations and other critical information.

Gerry, a homeless veteran and friends had set up camp in the brush that was on fire behind the 7-11. He sat helplessly worried about all of his worldly belongings that he had to leave behind in the wooded area that was blazing with fire. Many of the employees of the businesses located next to the 7-11 were also gathered around and watching in concern as the flames approached the buildings where they worked.
 

Local 6 camera man and reporter Erik von Ancken rush in to cover the brush fire. Brevard County has been on the news on local television and across the nation as the concern and likely hood of more fires in the area grow. We have not had much rain in weeks and the dry areas combined with the winds in past few days bring the threat of more fires.

Authorities have announced that they suspect arson to be the cause in at least 9 of the fires started in the Palm Bay area. Crime line is offering up to a $10,000.00 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person that may have been responsible for causing the fires that have damaged over 50 homes and thousands of acres of land. If you have any information that might be of help please call 1-800-423-TIPS.

While the Brevard County fire rescue have been working hard to contain the fires, the dry brush and winds have been keeping them busy. Many residents have lost their homes and belongings. The Red Cross has set up a temporary shelter for those who have lost their homes or have been evacuated at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 300 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay.

Technorati Tags: brevard county, fires, florida, news, fire, rescue, melbourne, palm bay, malabar, arson, firefighters

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This entry was posted on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 11:18 pm and is filed under Brevard County, Florida, Local, Media, Melbourne, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.