TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Fire Rescue responded to a brush fire Saturday morning at a what appeared to be a homeless encampment, officials said.
- Brush fire sparks at homeless encampment
- Fire started from unattended open flame, officials say
- No one injured; camp vacant when crews arrived
The brush fire was located in a vacant lot near the Tampa Bypass canal between the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and East Washington Street.
Firefighters said the fire appeared to have started from an unattended open flame located inside the camp. Officials said trash, tires, tents and other items caught fire and sent a plume a thick, black smoke into the air.
It took fire crews an hour to get the flames under control and contained within about a quarter of an acre.
Officials said no one was injured and the camp was vacant by the time crews arrived.
The fire marshal's office is working to determine the cause of the fire.