PALM BAY, Fla. – Precautionary evacuations were lifted on Wednesday as first responders work to contain two separate brush fires within the city.
According to Palm Bay police, a fire located in the southwest corner of Babcock Street and Malabar Road is 100% contained.
The second fire is near the railroad tracks behind Onyx Drive NE. Around 3:30 p.m., fire rescue crews said the fire was 100% contained.
As a precautionary measure, 20 homes in the vicinity of Onyx Drive were evacuated to ensure the safety of residents. No houses were damaged, and residents were allowed back into their homes.
But it was later revealed that the brush fire started after a police vehicle “unexpectedly caught fire,” according to Palm Bay police.
The police department said on Wednesday evening that police had responded to address a known homeless encampment between Onyx Drive Northeast and a nearby railroad track.
While the cause of the vehicle fire is under review, the fire soon spread to nearby brush, police said.
“I’ve been doing a year’s worth of work on the house,” said Mike Rook, who recounted watching the smoke advance toward his home. “And then I’m thinking, ‘Oh my God, now it’s going to burn to the ground.’ And it didn’t, thank God.”
Palm Bay police said the officer involved in the incident suffered minor injuries while trying to put out the fire.
Meanwhile, due to dry weather conditions, Brevard County has implemented a ban on open burning, such as bonfires, campfires, trash burning, and other incineration, throughout the county.
