A brush fire that had swelled to 300 acres has destroyed one home and damaged two others in Hernando County, the Florida Forest Service said.
- Brush fire burns 2 homes, damages another in rural Hernando
- Florida Forest Service, Hernando Fire Rescue at scene of 'Kingbird wildfire'
- Conditions described as windy by responding fire crews
- RELATED: Brush fire page: Information, safety, interactive wildfire maps
As of 6:50 p.m., Florida Forest Service Withlacoochee said the fire had been brought down to 110 acres and was 60 percent contained. Forward progress of the fire has been stopped.
Crews from the forest service and Hernando County Fire Rescue will remain at the scene through the night to put out hot spots and to continue knocking the fire further down.
At this time, no mandatory evacuation has been ordered.
One family was displaced by the fire are now receiving aid from the Red Cross. Another family whose home was damaged decided to remain within their home.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
#Kingbird Wildfire update: 110 acres %50 contained 2 homes destroyed 1 damaged no additional homes threatened at this time. pic.twitter.com/tdf2VHtxd8
— FFS Withlacoochee (@FFS_Withlacooch) March 2, 2018
Officials say the fire is located east of U.S. 19 and Centralia Road/County Road 476, in a rural residential area of Hernando.
Firefighters have seven tractors and three fire engines on scene as they work to contain the flames. Conditions were described as windy by the first crews at the scene.