VIDEO/PHOTOS: A neighbor illegally burning debris is being blamed for sparking a fast-moving brush fire in Vero Beach, according to the Indian River County Fire Rescue.
Fire officials say the backyard burn, which is a clear violation of a countywide burn ban, ignited flames that spread quickly through dry brush and came within 10 feet of several homes along 62nd Court off 45th Street.
In total, about four and a half acres of woods burned behind the neighborhood.
Despite how close the flames came, no homes were damaged and no one was hurt thanks in part to the quick response from firefighters and the actions of two brothers in the neighborhood who jumped in to help.
Heavy smoke filled the air Sunday afternoon as flames rose as high as 40 feet, moving dangerously close to houses.
Fifteen-year-old Wade Graul, his older brother Wyatt, and a friend were driving home when they saw the smoke from nearly a mile away.
WPEC-TV CBS 12 West Palm Beach
