MIDDLEBURG, Fla. -- According to the Florida Forest Service, a massive brush fire in Clay County came just yards away from dozens of homes Saturday.
Fire crews monitored the area for hours and in to the night looking for possible hot spots.
For Nathan Williams, the thought of losing his home crossed his mind as he watched how the flames came toward his back yard.
"I saw it moving toward and getting closer like 50 yards away. That's when I said alright we got to pack up something and go," said Williams.
The Florida Forest Service says 35 firefighters worked to put out the 17-acre fire which came dangerously close to about 20 homes located by Oak Moss Loop and Pine Ridge Parkway.
"Somebody started it being careless with a campfire or a bonfire over there in these woods," said Kevin MacEwen, Florida Forest Service.
According to MacEwen the gusty winds made matters even worse blowing embers just a few blocks away. That sparked another two acre fire just feet away from Robert Zoar's home on Buggy Whip Trail.
"I came out here with a water hose. I tried to do what I could. It started spreading so fast," said Zoar.
The flames destroyed the well pump that supplies the water to his home.
"We're not going to bed till we know everything is safe," said Zoar.
Sunday is expected to be another dry weather day. Fire officials say conditions in the neighborhood will stay smoky for about a week.
