Crews battle thirteen brush fires in Port Charlotte near homes

Charlotte County Fire & EMS are battling multiple brush fires in Port Charlotte. The fires are within the area of Jacobs Rd at State Road 776 and Biscayne Rd at State Road 776. No homes have been reported damaged but officials say nearby homes are being reported as threatened. CCF&E is asking residents living nearby to avoid that area for the next several hours as roads leading there are shut down. CCF&E along with Englewood Area Fire Control District, Boca Grande Fire Department, Lee County Strike Team and the Florida Forest Service all assisted the scene. Officials have not confirmed the cause of the fires but they are in search of an older model four-door red vehicle in the area of Jacobs Rd at State Road 776 and Biscayne Rd at State Road 776 with connection to the fires. If you have any information you're asked to contact local authorities.