Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Service reported that a blaze which started Thursday outside of Halifax , Nova Scotia in Canada was brought under control by Friday afternoon with the help of a rainstorm Friday morning. Hurricane Juan in 2003 produced downed trees and brush to fuel this year's fire which spread through the area at 36 metres (118 feet) per minute. On Thursday, the fire was settling down, but when high winds fanned the blaze, the fire surged out of control, creating flames high which leapt from treetop to treetop. Between 800 to 1,200 hectares (2,000 to 3,000 acres) of forest were destroyed, as were eight homes. Another ten homes were also damaged as high winds fanned the flames through the district. Police are investigating a possible case of arson during the brushfire when residents were evacuating. Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia Over 100 firefighters and five helicopters were out fighting the fire. People were awakened from their sleep at three a.m. local time to report into the Red Cross evacuation centre. Residents reported driving through flames in their home driveways to escape the brush fire. Peter Kelly , Mayor of Halifax toured the devastation by air. “It's a shock. Where homes used to be they are no longer. It's surreal for me,” he said.
 reported that a blaze which started Thursday outside of , Nova Scotia in Canada was brought under control by Friday afternoon with the help of a rainstorm Friday morning. in 2003 produced downed trees and brush to fuel this year's fire which spread through the area at 36 metres (118 feet) per minute. On Thursday, the fire was settling down, but when high winds fanned the blaze, the fire surged out of control, creating flames high which leapt from treetop to treetop. Between 800 to 1,200 hectares (2,000 to 3,000 acres) of forest were destroyed, as were eight homes. Another ten homes were also damaged as high winds fanned the flames through the district. Police are investigating a possible case of arson during the brushfire when residents were evacuating. Over 100 firefighters and five helicopters were out fighting the fire. People were awakened from their sleep at three a.m. local time to report into the evacuation centre. Residents reported driving through flames in their home driveways to escape the brush fire. , Mayor of Halifax toured the devastation by air. “It's a shock. Where homes used to be they are no longer. It's surreal for me,” he said.
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Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Service
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Halifax
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Hurricane Juan
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Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
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Red Cross
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Peter Kelly