Cape Coral residents grateful after fire spares homes

CAPE CORAL, Fla. Residents feared for the worst, but a Saturday brush fire that forced the evacuation of 10 homes didn’t damage any of them.

The flames broke out near Birkdale Avenue and Littlestone Court around 4:32 p.m., then spread to Southeast 24th Avenue.

Officials originally believed one residence sustained minor damage, but that home turned out to be OK.

“Firefighters busted their butts, and they saved everybody’s houses,” nearby resident Michael Martucci said. “It’s awesome. I mean I said my water heater broke and I had to take a cold shower. I didn’t care because I had a place to take a shower.”

The fire consumed about 5 acres of woods. Crews were back on scene Sunday, tending to smoldering areas to make sure the blaze didn’t flare up again.