RandyW Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 ORLANDO, FLA. -- Wind-whipped fires leaped from rooftop to rooftop and charred thousands of acres across Brevard and Volusia counties in central Florida on Monday, destroying or damaging at least 51 homes and injuring at least four firefighters. Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency. The worst fires were in Palm Bay, where desperate residents fought to save their homes with water from garden hoses and swimming pools. Confused students screamed as firefighters evacuated them from a high school. Hundreds of residents were forced to flee their homes. Authorities think that an arsonist or group of arsonists set as many as nine fires in Palm Bay, and that embers sparked the rest. "It's just bad," said Yvonne Martinez, Palm Bay Police Department spokeswoman. "The wind is causing the fire to jump a half a mile at a time." Major fires also burned in northern and southern Florida. On Monday, early-morning humidity and mild temperatures had calmed central Florida's fires. But as the day wore on, the wind picked up and humidity plummeted. The Palm Bay fires erupted within 18 hours Sunday, forming a ring around the city. Most began near roads. "Somebody was very busy," said Palm Bay Fire Marshal Mike Couture. A suspicious vehicle was seen in the area before Sunday's fires. There is a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the suspect. One Palm Bay firefighter was shocked by an electrical line and taken to a hospital, city officials said. Three other firefighters were injured, but no details were available. Officers went door-to-door on the south side of Palm Bay, asking residents to grab what they could and leave immediately. If they refused, they were asked to provide names of their next of kin, Martinez said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Prayers being said for Ann and all of our friends in Florida for them to stay safe. Hugs - Patti B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovesLife Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Sending prayers for everyone in Florida. Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Thanks so much to Randy for posting this and for everyone for your prayers. Things are a bit better today but none of the fires are contained and the winds are now picking up again. Sending you some pics taken just a few blocks from me. http://spacecoast.craigslist.org/vnn/678531212.html Keep praying for us. A neighbor just knocked at my door to tell me another fire has popped up just to the east of us, about 5 blocks over. Not good news as this fire is in the woods behind a BP station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 This is so terrible. I got goosebumps just watching the video. I hope you are not still at home, Ann. Please get out and go to safety. Praying for you - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman35 Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Praying for you Ann. Please stay safe!!! Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchurchi Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 My dear friend, Praying for you and your loved ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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