Interstate 4 near the Orlando attractions was a nightmare for Memorial Day travelers Friday evening until the Florida Highway Patrol reopened the roadway after a suspicious brushfire.
The fire began as a 5-acre brushfire around 1:20 p.m. Friday, but high winds spread the fire officials deemed "suspicious" to 25 acres and dangerously close to I-4.
“Honestly, the initial concern, because it's heading this way, was I-4 and Osceola Parkway," said Battalion Chief David Sullivan from Orange County Fire Rescue. "We stopped it before both, although the smoke did lay down over I-4 and FHP closed I-4 east and westbound for a period of time.”
The road was closed for several hours from S.R. 417 to S.R. 528.
Crews worked along International Drive between World Center Drive and Osceola Parkway to get hot spots under control. At one point, smoke blacked out International Drive, almost jumping the road.
However, firefighters and Florida Forest Service crews were able to get the upper hand on the fire. No injuries were reported.
The fire is contained and will continue to smolder. Orange County Fire Rescue will remain on the scene overnight and through the weekend until it is fully extinguished.
At its peak, the smoke from the fire could be seen from at least 10 miles away.