FLORIDA: Multiple Homes Destroyed After Man Burning Books Sparks Massive 400 Acre Wildfire [VIDEO]

Florida, because of course. CNN reports:

At least 10 homes in Nassau County, Florida, were destroyed in a wildfire caused by a man who was burning books Wednesday. Only a few minor injuries to emergency personnel have been reported in what’s being called the Garfield Road Fire, according to the Florida Forest Service. But it has burned an estimated 350 to 400 acres near Bryceville, about 20 miles west of Jacksonville.

Officials said in a news conference Thursday morning the wildfire was 65% contained and no longer spreading. Firefighters will continue to work in the area but a full containment of the fire is not expected on Thursday. The fire started Wednesday afternoon when a man was burning paperback books, said Annaleasa Winter of the Florida Forest Service, in a briefing Wednesday night.

“It was an illegal burn,” she said, adding that it’s against the law to burn household garbage in Florida. “It was paper. It got away from him.” It’s not clear why the man was burning the books. The fire spiraled to about five acres and began spreading out of control, fueled by windy conditions, Winter said.

The culprit will be billed for the cost of fighting the fire and can be held civilly liable for the destroyed homes.