CHESAPEAKE, Va. - It's estimated that nearly 50 acres have burned after a brush fire in the 2000 block of Elbow Road just east of Centerville Turnpike in Chesapeake, the fire department announced Monday. Officials say this is one of the largest fires the city has had in recent years.
The call came in at 4:18 p.m. after a resident noticed a large amount of smoke coming from an open field.
Firefighters arrived on scene within minutes to find the field burning with fire showing in the nearby tree line. Multiple city brush trucks were dispatched to help with the containing and extinguishing the fire.
Multiple units from Virginia Beach and the Virginia Department of Forestry responded as an auto-aid resource and are currently helping Chesapeake firefighters with fire suppression and control efforts.
The Virginia Department of Forestry is currently assisting with cutting a fire line to prevent the fire from spreading any further.
Firefighters will continue to monitor the area until the fire is completely out.
News 3 sent a crew to the scene. From what we saw on our drone footage, about 30 fire engines responded to the scene. The fire department called on CERT - the Community Emergency Response Team - for support.
There are a few homes on Elbow Road that are very close to the fire. Neighbors told News 3 reporter Kelsey Jones they've been watching the action for hours and are glad it didn't happen in the direction where they live.
"[There were] ashes going into the yard. [I was] very scared and worried. I found out about it at work. I was getting off, rushed home, worried about the kids. It was completely dark. I was shaking nervous about what I was going to find," said concerned resident Danielle Smith.
As of Tuesday, the Chesapeake Fire Department is still currently on the scene with mutual aid from Navy Regional and The Virginia Forestry Department. They say the fire is under control.
The Forestry Department is currently defining the fire line and firefighters are working on hot spots. On Monday it was reported that over 100 acres burned, but after officials made an accurate assessment Tuesday there is only 44 to 45 acres that burned.
Firefighters will continue to stay on the scene until the fire is out. Residents may see and smell smoke, but there is no harm to the public.
Smoke was smelt all the way in Williamsburg. Williamsburg Fire Department reported several calls for a smell of smoke Tuesday morning.
"We would like to inform you that you may continue to smell smoke for the remainder of the day as the National Weather Service has informed us, winds will continue out of the South/Southwest throughout the day. There is no threat to Williamsburg and we expect the smell and haze to resolve as the fires become under control. If you have any questions or concerns please call Fire Admin at 757-220-6220," the department stated.
Elbow Road is closed east of Graphite Trail due to the fire. There is currently no estimated time for when the roads in the area will reopen.
Officials say there is no danger to the residents in the area. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
