Lehigh Acres evacuations lifted, brush fire 95 percent contained

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla.  A lit cigarette was the cause of a 400-acre brush fire that ignited near West Ninth Street and Ann Ave North Friday afternoon, Gov. Rick Scott said.

Thirteen structures were damaged during the blaze and it was 95 percent contained as of Saturday afternoon, according to Lee County deputies.

Lee County evacuees were allowed to return to their homes, the South Trail Fire and Rescue District said.

The shelter at Lehigh Senior High School will close at 6 p.m., according to the Lee County Emergency Operations Center.

Four homes, one shed and 11 vehicles were destroyed in the fire, Lehigh Acres Fire chief Robert Dilallo said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized federal funds to reimburse costs to Florida to fight the Lehigh Acres fire in Lee County on Saturday.

“This funding allows Florida to fight these fires and save lives, structures and property,” said FEMA Regional Administrator Gracia Szczech. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to those families who’ve been affected.”

Gov. Scott addressed the fire in a press conference and took a tour of the wildfire damage in Lee County.

WINK News reporter Kristin Sanchez streamed Gov. Scott’s tour on Facebook:

WINK News streamed the conference live on Facebook.

Below is Friday night’s coverage of the fire: