Bear cub rescued from 277-acre brush fire

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Homes were evacuated and several were damaged Thursday as a brush fire grew to more than 250 acres and tore through Lake County near Paisley, Florida.

Lake County Fire Rescue officials said homes on Apricot Way in the Royal Trails section of the county were being threatened by the blaze.

Firefighters spotted and rescued a bear cub from the fire.

"You can see his hair is singed. He's got some on his paws," a firefighter told WFTV. "He pretty much wandered out of the woods on his own, kind of whining. No sight of mom or brother or sister or nothing else."

Florida Fish and Wildlife officers will be evaluating the animal to make sure it's in good health.

The fire began moving east and into open land by 6 p.m., and officials said structures were no longer in danger, although some were damaged.

Seven dozers and a brush truck were working with the Lake County Fire Department.

A road block was set up while firefighters work to contain the brush fire.

By 9:15 p.m., the fire was 100 percent contained, after reaching 277 acres.

Fire Rescue allowed residents back in their homes before dark.

No injuries have been reported.