Storms cause brush fires, traffic accidents in Cape
Thunderstorms ignited several brush fires and caused traffic accidents in Cape Coral late Thursday afternoon, according to officials.
Severe lightning conditions caused multiple wooded area fires across the north, reported city spokeswoman Connie Barron. No fewer than seven individual fires burned.
Barron said one fire had four separate locations and created a dangerous firestorm, which crossed over into a residential neighborhood. Emergency units defended the structures, prevented fire spread and minimized spot over fires.
Multiple power line calls and smoke investigations caused the city’s emergency personnel to call for assistance from outside resources, according to officials. A strike team of engines and brush trucks were called in.
The rain caused accidents, including one in the 2100 block of Santa Barbara Boulevard, which resulted in multiple patients. Barron said three people had to be extracted and a fire started under the hood of one of the vehicles.
As of Thursday night crews were still responding to calls of downed power lines, she added.