Governor
Rick Scott was in Franklin County this morning to meet
with Franklin County Sheriff AJ Smith and first responders to receive
an update on the wildfire that ravaged the eastern end of Eastpoint
on Sunday.
The
Governor was briefed by sheriff's officials along with forestry
representatives and others.
Governor
Scott said his heart goes out to the people affected by the fire and
his office is looking to see what help is available for victims at
the state and federal level.
The
Governor was also able to tour the area hardest hit by the fire.
The
fire is believed to have destroyed nearly 3 dozen homes in the area
of Wilderness Road, Ridge Road and Buck Street in Eastpoint.
Officials
will do a thorough assessment of the damage today.
The
fire started sometime between 5 and 6 o'clock Sunday afternoon, most
likely near Limerock Road which is is a highly wooded area east of
North Bayshore Drive.
The
cause of the fire has not been determined, but officials feel it was
likely caused by lightning or a recent controlled burn in the area
that flared up.
The
winds pushed the fire quickly toward the residential neighborhoods
along Ridge road, otter slide road and wilderness road where dozens
of homes were destroyed.
The
total size of the fire is estimated between 600 and 700 acres.
12
fire departments from as far away as Hosford and Gulf County came to
help fight the fire.
Sheriff
AJ smith said that one person died of a heart attack possibly caused
by the stress of the fire, but he believes that is the only death.
He
said there have been no missing persons reports so they do not
believe anyone was in the homes that were destroyed.
The
sheriff called the fire one of the most intense he has seen in his
career and described seeing people fleeing out of their doors with
only the clothes on their backs.
People
are still not being allowed back into the area of Wilderness Road,
Ridge Road and Buck Street at this time but officials hope to allow
people to get into that neighborhood sometime today.
http://live.oysterradio.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment