May 14, 2009 7:31 pm US/Eastern
Firefighters Bring Medley Brush Fire Under Control
Area Warehouse Was Threatened
MEDLEY (CBS4) ―
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Flames and heavy smoke billowed from a brush fire in Medley on May 14, 2009
CBS
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A Miami-Dade Fire Rescue helicopter scoops up water for a water drop on the Medley grass fire.
Walter Ramirez /CBS Viewer
Miami-Dade firefighters are monitoring a brush fire in Medley, near Hialeah, Thursday night, after battling earlier it during rush hour. The fire along 79th Avenue and Okeechobee Road is out, but fire officials are concerned it might flare up again.
The thick smoke from the two alarm grass fire choked the area of NW 79th Avenue, near the Palmetto Expressway, for much of the afternoon.
However, intense firefighting efforts are paid off because a portion of the fire is under control, according to Elizabeth Calzadilla-Fiallo, MDFR's Media and Public Relations Manager.
So-called hot spots and the east-blowing wind continued to cause the blaze to spread throughout the afternoon. Flames came dangerously close to several buildings in the area, including warehouses and some propane tanks.
The occupants of one warehouse were asked to evacuate, but no other evacuations have been ordered and there are no reported injuries, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesman Lt. Elkin Sierra.
Fire officials also told
CBS4's Natalia Zea that a passing train caused the fire to spark.
A Miami-Dade Fire Rescue helicopter joined the firefight by performing water drops to prevent the fire from spreading. The helicopter, specially configured for firefighting, repeatedly scooped up water into a large bucket from a nearby lake and dropped it onto the nearby flames.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials have also asked area residents and workers to remain indoors due to the heavy smoke.
Two other brush fires affected traffic in South Florida during rush hour Thursday.
Click Here to read more.
CBS4.COM's Daniel Lastra Contributed To This Report
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