LAKE PLACID, Fla. — Neighbors in a Highlands County neighborhood are thankful to be back in their home and for the quick response from fire fighters after a brush fire ripped through their community.
"It's by the grace of god and these hardworking men and women that saved our home,” says Mona Lisa Payne.
Payne and her husband Phil are among the nearly 200 people who were evacuated Tuesday from their Lake Placid neighborhood after the fire burned more than 300 acres surrounding it.
“I couldn’t sleep. I just had this sinking feeling as to what actually happened in the area,” Payne explained.
The couple got their first chance to view the damage when daylight came up Wednesday morning, saying they’re beyond thankful their home was spared.
The same couldn’t be said for their barn, Phill’s work tools and two cars, including a classic Ford Mustang that went up in flames.
The Payne’s couldn’t say enough good things about the firefighters who they saw working tirelessly, bulldozing land around the flames and extinguishing fires to lessen the devastation.
“No lives were taken, many homes were saved, those men and women worked very hard. I’m impressed, grateful,” she added. "They deserve a raise."
On Wednesday, those same crews from the Florida Forest Service and other local departments were keeping a tight perimeter around the 318 burned acres, clearing paths and putting out hot spots.
In total only 5 structures, like barns and sheds, were destroyed as well as a few vehicles. Only two homes received some damage.
Power crews were on scene restoring power to the neighborhood.
“It's a phenomenal response out here,” said David Grubich, Florida Forest Service public information officer. “Damage is minimal compared to what the intensity of the fire that was going through here and we did steer the fire mostly away from these things and did the best we could try and save these structures."
Officials say drought and wind conditions allowed it to quickly spread.
“Very fast moving fire as you can see from the devastation,” Grubich added.
Crews will continue monitoring the area over the next few days, as well as investigating the cause of the fire. Howver, with the existing drought conditions in the area, they say a simple spark from anything could have caused it.
Grubich says it’s a good reminder to keep your gutters and roofs clean from vegetation, because embers from fires that big can travel a mile in the air.