MIDDLESEX, N.C. — More than 80 firefighters came out to battle a huge wildfire in Nash County on Sunday afternoon.
Capt. Chris Tant with the Middlesex Fire Department says the fire started along U.S. 264 near Brantley Road at around 2:15 p.m. Sunday.
During the fire, crews evacuated five homes in the area as a precaution. A North Carolina Forest Service official said the wind later shifted, keeping flames away from homes.
Fire officials said that because of high winds, the fire spread quickly, eventually covering between 70 and 80 acres.
Crews from the North Carolina Forest Service were also on scene with two plows.
As of 6:15 p.m. crews were still at the scene battling the fire with it about 85 percent contained.
By 7:35 p.m. the fire was out and crews had cleared the area, officials said.
