Marion County firefighters fought a blaze in Belleview on Monday that erupted from an illegal burn.
Multiple crews were dispatched shortly before 4 p.m. to reports of a grass fire in the vicinity of the 1000 block of SE 49th Court. A 911 caller reported that the flames were spreading quickly.
Firefighters from Belleview Station #18 arrived on scene minutes later to find an area of about 20 feet by 20 feet engulfed in flames. They reported that the fire was spreading rapidly towards the northeast. The crews immediately requested additional resources and started working to protect nearby structures, a report says.
Additional resources from Shady Station #16, Spruce Creek Station #30, Rolling Greens Station #28 and Weirsdale Station #27 arrived on scene to assist in extinguishing the fast-moving flames. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office also sent its helicopter, Air Once, to assist with surveillance of the fire operations.
The cause of the blaze, which was called under control at 5 p.m., was determined to be an escaped backyard illegal burn. Fire officials say it’s important for residents to remember that there’s a voluntary residential burn ban throughout Marion County.
