ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) – Gandy Boulevard and a portion of the interstate in St. Petersburg is back open after a brush fire at the intersection of I-275 and Gandy.

Fire rescue crews shut down I-275 from 54th Ave. North to Gandy.  

I-275 reopened around 9:20 p.m. Friday night.

Gandy was closed from 9th street to 30th St. as a result of low visibility coming from the smoke.

As of 3 a.m. Saturday morning, all roadways and exits ramps had reopened.

The fire burned 40 acres.

WFLA News Channel 8 helicopter Eagle 8 flew over the scene and captured the trees lining the interstate on fire.  Smoke could be seen for miles.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area.

St. Pete police said a commercial lawn mower started the fire.  A contractor who was performing lawn maintenance for a private business noticed the mower getting hot, as it was clogged with grass clippings.  The contractor attempted to put the fire out, but was unsuccessful before the fire got too large.

The fire is mostly under control, but fire crews are still dealing with hot spots. Fire crews will remain on scene overnight.

Approximately 30 people were evacuated nearby at the Village Green Mobile Home Park. The evacuees were taken to Wawa’s Command Post to be evaluated by paramedics.  The order has since been lifted and people are returning to their homes.

Some left on their own.  Many left in a hurry, but police were present to make sure all were safe.

“I’m from new Jersey and it’s my first month down here, so it’s a little bit different,” said evacuee Karl Remmec.

Jeff McNabb gathered his cats and important paperwork, just in case.

“This is the last thing I expected. I mean last thing,” he said.  “I saw the smoke earlier, but I didn’t know it was going to get way out of hand, and even the firemen are saying it’s [because] of the wind. It’s like fighting against nature.”

A firefighter was taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion.  The firefighter is okay and has been released from the hospital.WHAT OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON-

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