Firefighters contained a five-acre brush fire near Madden Avenue and Olivia Street in southwest Palm Bay on Thursday, April 30, after officials ordered precautionary evacuations for nearby residents. The blaze, reported around 3:30 p.m. near the northeast edge of the Compound, prompted the evacuation of about six homes as crews worked to stop the flames from spreading. Palm Bay Fire Rescue allowed residents to return home late Thursday after the fire was 95% contained, though officials remain concerned about the suspicious nature of the fires that have plagued the area since April 26.
The latest fire joined a series of blazes that have burned over 160 acres in the Compound since Sunday. Most of those fires occurred in wild brush, but Thursday’s incident saw flames creeping closer to homes, according to Assistant Fire Chief John Ringleb. He said the department was unsure of the cause of the latest fire but noted that several residences are scattered near the affected area. "There are a couple of homes peppered in there," Ringleb said, adding that evacuations were ordered as a precaution.
Residents watched Brevard County sheriff’s helicopters drop water on the flames, with some expressing frustration over the lack of information. One woman living off Madden Avenue said, "No one is telling us anything," as she packed belongings quickly. Fire officials have not confirmed any arrests in connection with the fires, which have raised questions about their origin and whether they are intentionally set.
The fires have mostly burned through grass and brush, but officials warned that the pattern changed Thursday as spot fires emerged near homes. With no property damage reported in the latest incident, the focus remains on determining why the fires have continued to occur in the area. Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the most recent blaze.