Brush fire results in temporary evacuation of Chesterfield homes

Residents of about 20 homes were evacuated for several hours last night along Cattail Road in Chesterfield County after authorities feared they could be threatened by a fast-moving brush fire.

As a precaution, county fire officials issued a mandatory evacuation order at about 5 p.m. for residents on Cattail between Reedy Branch and Rowlett roads. Residents were encouraged to use a temporary shelter set up at Matoaca High School at 17700 Longhouse Lane.

"They are not in the direct line of fire . . . but given any chance of wind change, we want to be on the safe side," Coffin said.

The order was lifted about 8:40 p.m., after authorities deemed the area to be safe.

The scare came from a brush fire that crews were fighting on a couple of acres in the middle of a 1,400-acre pine plantation near the 13400 block of Nash Road.

The operation appeared to be winding down with the lifting of the order. -- Mark Bowes