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WPEC-TV CBS12 News :: News - Palm Beach County News - Investigators say homeless camp may be cause of Boynton brush fire

Investigators say homeless camp may be cause of Boynton brush fire

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. -- A brush fire breaks out west of Boynton Beach and destroys a trailer and several cars. Investigators believe a homeless camp that was set-up could be to blame.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire. But it shows the surprising conditions and dangers our first responders can encounter.

Flames flicker among charred ruins as CBS 12 arrived at this West Boynton fire scene.

Dist. Chief Tony Tozzi/Palm Beach County Fire Rescue: On arrival they had some smoke and flames showing.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue District Chief Tony Tozzi giving us the run down on the pre-dawn call behind a storage business. Hidden behind a concrete block wall, you'd never know you were only a short distance from busy Boynton Beach Boulevard.
 
Dist. Chief Tony Tozzi/Palm Beach County Fire Rescue: There's actually three trailers on site. One of them did burn down to the ground.

The other two mobile homes were spared.

Dist. Chief Tony Tozzi/Palm Beach County Fire Rescue: As we were mopping up and cleaning up, we were approached by several people who say they live in the area.

The walled off area, pretty much out of view from the commercial area nearby.

Dist. Chief Tony Tozzi/Palm Beach County Fire Rescue: It apparently has been set up as a homeless camp. There's been some squatters and people living back there. Residents and business owners in the area say they're very familiar with the people. Crews did report there were some bio-hazard conditions back there. Imagine there's no plumbing, running water.

And there were containers with unknown materials. Firefighters take no chances removing these items.

Dist. Chief Tony Tozzi/Palm Beach County Fire Rescue: We've gotten to the point nothing surprises us.

Dist. Chief Tony Tozzi/Palm Beach County Fire Rescue: It's sad. Somebody lost their home today, no matter whether it's a homeless camp or a $100,000 home.

The fire is under investigation. When we were on scene firefighters told us they expect the fire to be ruled accidental. 
Investigators say homeless camp may be cause of Boynton brush fire

Tuesday, July 3 2012, 08:24 PM EDT

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