Firefighters in Palm Bay had managed to get the brush fires 40 percent contained by Thursday morning and hoped to increase that number as the day wears on.
Fire Information:
According to Todd Schroeder, of the Division of Forestry, there are four main fires burning in the Palm Bay and Malabar areas. Each fire is named after the street where the blaze started.
As of Thursday morning, the Jupiter Fire had destroyed 200 acres and firefighters were monitoring it for hotspots
In the Madden Fire, located near Bayside High School, 1,400 acres burned and fire crews are keeping an eye on it.
Fire crews continue to actively fight the Osage Fire, which has already burned through 3,700 acres.
The biggest blaze is the Lowery Fire, in which 7,000 acres have gone down in flames. Firefighters are actively fighting the fire and have also started a backfire to counteract the current fire.
Three firefighters were recovering after being hurt battling the brush fires in Palm Bay. At least one firefighter had to be airlifted to the hospital. One of those injured was electrocuted while trying to fight one of the fires.
Palm Bay police took News 13 for a ride-along through one neighborhood that was hit hard. Because of the number of fires burning, crews have not been able to respond to many burning homes.
"They've all been deployed, and we have no further resources to help," said Deputy Chief Doug Muldoon. "Fortunately, we've had the public trying to assist and save their homes. There's only so much so you can do with fires fueled by winds and fast moving flames."
Structures Burned:
At least 162 structures were either damaged or destroyed, including 40 homes that have been deemed uninhabitable. Two vehicles, two motor homes, and one boat were also destroyed by the flames.
The total damage in Palm Bay was estimated at $9.6 million.
Evacuations:
Students at Bayside High School and Westside Elementary School were evacuated Monday, and moved to Southwest Middle School, where parents picked them up safely. The playground at Westside Elementary had also caught fire.
Additionally, a voluntary evacuation was in place in Palm Bay.
School Closings:
All Palm Bay schools are open Thursday, including the Palm Bay campus of Brevard Community College.
For more information, contact Brevard County Schools at (321) 633-1000, ext. 500.
Road closures:
See all road closures.
Shelter:
At least 110 people stayed in a shelter set up at Our Lady of Grace Church, at 300 Malabar Rd. Monday. Florida Today reported mental health officials were on hand to help residents as needed. Medical staff were available as well.
"I said I'll take (the children) to the park and come back. Maybe things will be okay, but the fire got too heavy," said Marixa Cepero amid tears. "By the time I walked down here, my house was on fire."
Power Outages:
About 4,100 people remain in the dark right now in Palm Bay and Malabar.
Florida Power and Light said more than 12,000 people had to have their power cut off to make sure firefighters working near lines stayed safe.
Hundreds of FPL workers have been brought to Brevard County to help turn power back on when it becomes safe.
If customers have particular questions, they can call (800) 4-OUTAGE.
Arson Investigation:
A high-ranking official confirmed to News 13 Thursday morning that a second person is in custody in the Palm Bay arsons.
The name of the person and the circumstances surrounding the situation were not immediately known.
Meanwhile, Palm Bay police said a man arrested Wednesday on suspicion of starting a brush fire has been charged with two counts of unlawful burning.
Brian Crowder, 31, is in the Brevard County Jail.
"I believe that I accidentally may have started (a fire) by tossing a cigarette out the door. I have a violation of probation. I have no driver’s license. I was driving," said Crowder.
Crowder left the Palm Bay police station and was taken to jail early Thursday morning. Investigators said earlier Wednesday someone noticed him throwing something into the woods just seconds before a small fire broke out.
Then they said while Crowder was running away from them, he was trying to start even more fires.
They said he could just be a copycat, but he hasn't been totally cooperative and more charges could follow.
“It's a relief at least we have somebody and he's definitely somebody that needs to be off the street. At least people know we're out there looking and we're not going to tolerate someone even setting a small fire. We're not going to put up with that. They're going to be put in jail,” said Det. Ernie Diebel from the Palm Bay Police Department.
Crowder and his dark colored car do match the description of someone seen near the fire scenes this weekend.
Crowder told police he does have an alibi for at least some of that time.
A $15,000 reward has been offered for the capture of the arsonist responsible for the brush fires. Investigators said they have had at least 100 different leads.
Anyone with any information is asked to call CrimeLine at (800) 423-TIPS.
Hotline:
(321) 637-5550
News 13's Complete Brush Fire Coverage