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Homes saved from Lehigh brush fire

By Staff | Mar 14, 2012

Residents of seven homes can breathe a sigh of relief today knowing that their houses were not damaged in a large brush fire that originated in the southwest block of Oakridge Ave. S. and Crane St. E. in Lehigh Acres.

“The homes were in the path of the fire, but thanks to our firefighters, the blaze was contained before the homes were in danger,” said Ken Bennett, the Lehigh Acres Fire Department’s fire marshal and assistant chief of administration.

He said that on March 6, the fire was declared under control after burning into four blocks at 3:44 p.m.

There were also no injures of firefighters or civilians, he said.

Crews remained on the scene extinguishing hot spots into the evening hours and left the scene at 8:45 p.m.

Florida Forestry also had containment lines all the way around the fire and the Red Cross responded to the scene to assist with help for the firefighters on the scene.

Bennett said Lehigh Acres had all five stations of brush trucks and fire engines and one ambulance on the scene of the fire.

Mutual aid was also requested and the Alva, Tice, Bayshore, North Fort Myers, City of fort Myers, Florida Forestry and City of Cape Coral Fire Departments/ District had units on the scene to assist with extinguishment.

Bennett reported that some 55 to 60 firefighters were on the scene of the fire.

South Trail Fire District also had two engines covering the fire district for other calls that came in, as the Lehigh units were committed to the fire.

Low humidity on that day caused the fire to burn quickly. There were also windy conditions.

After an investigation of the suspected area of origin, Bennett said it is believed that the fire was intentionally set.

If you have any information about this fire, you are asked to contact the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District at 239-303-5302, Bennett said.