Neighbors on woods fire: ‘I got scared there for a minute’

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Brunswick County fire officials are investigating a fire that burned 1,400 acres of woods Tuesday.

Brunswick County Fire Marshal Scott Garner said county crews spent hours trying to protect some structures while forestry crews worked to get fire lines around the fire. Residents who felt threatened were offered shelter at the Antioch Church on Midway Road.

“I saw one big gigantic black plume,” Amber Brooks said.

Brooks said she was sitting on her front porch when she saw it.

“It got bigger and bigger,” Brooks said.

She says she was not too concerned at first.

“I didn’t start getting worried until it got bigger and then, subsequently started moving this way towards us,” Brooks said.

Brunswick County Fire Marshall Scott Garner said the fire covered 1,400 of acres of wooded area that eventually jumped Gilbert Road. Brooks said that is where she lives.

“I got scared there for a minute,” Brooks said.

The fire closed multiple intersections in Brunswick county. Fire officials in New Hanover County got reports of ash across the county.

Garner said there were no mandatory evacuations, but there was a shelter set up at Antioch church for anyone who felt threatened.

“They strongly advised us to leave the area,” Brooks said.

While Brooks said she is thankful nothing happened to her home, she is also thankful for something else.

“I’m just thankful we’ve got all these guys out here doing what they can,” Brooks said.

Garner said forestry crews will wrap up sometime Tuesday night and begin again Wednesday morning.