Blown transformer sparks Poinciana brush fire

POINCIANA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A brush fire in Osceola County, near Poinciana was roughly 50 percent contained, around 6 p.m., authorities said.

The fire had spread across 30 acres and came close to Ponciana Medical Center and other residential communities in the area.  

Osceola Fire Rescue tells us the fire started just before 3:30, when a transformer blew in the area. Osceola and Polk Fire crews responded to the scene near Cypress Parkway and Laurel Avenue in Poinciana. Despite recent rain, fire officials tell us conditions are still ripe for wildfires.

"This fire took off in a matter of seconds, and it's that ready to burn right now," said Osceola County Fire Division Chief, Brett Carroll. "It jumped over Cypress Parkway and started running to the north, towards Poinciana Medical Center." 

Cypress Parkway was shut down, between Ponciana Parkway and Ponciana Medical Center, while firefighters worked to control the blaze.  No structures appeared to be in immediate danger, firefighters said.   

But the fire threat was close enough that officials at Poinciana Medical Center feared an evacuation, and at one point, had to stop taking patients.

"Their air conditioning unit went down at one point, because of the power outage," Carroll said. 

Donna Davis lives across from the 30-acre wildfire. Her smoke-filled neighborhood has her worried.

"My son has asthma, so I'm a little concerned for him, and just, we have a neighborhood of older people that's like right up the street, so health concerns are really what the issue is."

Firefighters from Polk County Fire Rescue, Osceola County Fire Rescue, Florida Forest Service, Davenport Fire Department and Haines City Fire Department responded.  

Officials will remain at the scene, making sure the fire is contained.