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Authorities continue fighting Lake Seminole Park brush fire near Osceola High School

 
Published July 13, 2015

SEMINOLE — Authorities continue to battle a four-acre brush fire across the street from Osceola Fundamental High School, which they expect will burn into the night.

"We're doing a defensive attack on it, which means we've had to pull back our troops," said spokesman Brad Dykens of Seminole Fire Rescue.

The fire's cause remains under investigation, though Dykens said it might be a remnant from a Fourth of July fire in the same area of Lake Seminole Park. That earlier fire was the result of a lightning strike and destroyed three acres.

Heavy smoke has blanketed 98th Street, which is closed for fire operations, and 102nd Avenue N, which remains open.

Dykens said the fire would continue burning throughout the evening, including some flare-ups visible to passing drivers. He said the fire has affected the park's wildlife preserve, and that no lives are in danger.

Fire authorities have advised residents of the Lake Park community north of the park to remain indoors to avoid smoke.

They said no buildings are in danger.

About seven units from Seminole Fire Rescue, the Pinellas County Forestry Department and the Florida Forest Service have responded to the preserve.