PALM BAY, Fla. – Several large brush fires broke out in an infamous portion of Palm Bay known as “The Compound” on Tuesday night, according to fire officials.
In a release, Palm Bay Fire Rescue said that the Florida Forest Service and Brevard County Sheriff’s Office STAR helicopter — the latter of which is used to dump water — came in to help with the fire.
“There were brush fires basically surrounding the original brush fire - and then we knew we had an issue,” said Assistant Fire Chief of Palm Bay Fire Rescue John Ringleb.
“At this time, we are asking everyone to stay out of The Compound for safety reasons,” the release reads. “There are currently no reports of damage to homes or property, and no reported injuries.”
[RELATED: Man arrested after human remains found in suitcase in Palm Bay’s ‘Compound’]
On Wednesday, Palm Bay police said that while it has not been confirmed, they “believe the fires were intentionally set”.
“The fires were at different locations, separate from each other. We do not have any suspect information, but ask anyone with information to contact the Palm Bay Police Department, or CrimeLine to remain anonymous.”
Palm Bay Police Department
The fire department calls the incident “suspicious.” “We all kind of have an idea of what normal fire growth and spread looks like. This was not that,” said Ringleb. “Nine fires sort of burning independently of one another in the way that they were burning in the areas, the distance - it just was strange, not normal.”
It took a lot of manpower and a lot of water to get the fires under control. The fire department’s water tenders carry thousands of gallons of water at a time.
“Those guys were shuttling dozens of times between the three tenders that we had out here, plus all the water that’s in the engines,” said the assistant fire chief.
No additional information has been provided at this time.
The Compound has become notorious in recent years after investigators revealed that several high-profile homicides emerged from the area.
More recently, human remains were found in suitcases, leading to the arrest of 19-year-old Lucas Jones.
[RELATED: New homicide revitalizes debate over finally developing the Compound]