MICCO — A brush fire that prompted the evacuation of several homes Thursday evening in southern Brevard County is now contained, with no injuries or structural damage reported.
As of Friday morning, parts of the fire are still smoldering, and there is a significant amount of ash on vehicles in Micco and Barefoot Bay. Smoke is everywhere along Micco Road and U.S. 1.
Brevard County Fire Rescue crews remained on the scene overnight to extinguish any remaining hot spots and monitor the area, with additional units scheduled to return this morning. Two shelters that were opened as a precaution have since closed, allowing residents to return home. The American Red Cross, which had been mobilized to assist, has been demobilized.
The blaze, believed to have been ignited by a lightning strike during a thunderstorm around 5 p.m., erupted south of Micco Road and east of Fleming Grant Road, near a Florida Power & Light solar farm. It rapidly expanded to cover about 15 acres.
Firefighters from Brevard County Fire Rescue, the Florida Forest Service, and other agencies responded to contain the fire. An estimated eight to 10 homes were evacuated out of precaution, but all were safeguarded from the flames.
Authorities have not released further details on the cause, but thunderstorms were reported in the area at the time.
