BRUSH FIRE CONTINUES TO BURN

The large brush fire that burned around 50 acres off Gulf Beach Highway yesterday is still about 50 percent contained. That's the latest from the Florida Forestry Service -- who've dispatched dozens of crews to battle the blaze as it was spreading. The brush fire is in the Somerville Court neighborhood off Gulf Beach Highway. One home was heavily damaged and 15 more sustained varying degrees of damage. Florida Forest Service says crews have a line around the perimeter of the blaze. Five tractor-plow units are working to bolster the lines. Florida Forest Service and Escambia Fire Rescue firefighters saved 200 more homes as the fire threatened several neighborhoods late yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. The cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation at this time.