'Ideal Conditions' Led to Brush Fires Near High-Tension Wires off Route 9

quickly extinguished two brush fires that erupted near the power station near Rolfe Ave. and Oak Street around 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Ten firefighters in three engines responded to the blazes, which were put out in less than an hour and a half. 

The cause of the fires is unknown.

"These are ideal conditions for brush fires because of the wind and lack of rain," said Captain Mark Mann. "Everything is very dry because of the lack of moisture. It's everywhere, not just Shrewsbury. As a matter of fact, the state recommended that we don't give out burning permits today because of those conditions."

Mann added that today's brush fires were not in an area where anyone would generally be burning anything.

"This just happens sometimes in an area that is extremely dry and large," said Mann. "It was under the high-tension lines between Oak Street and Route 9. It wasn't a huge burn. Just a few acres. But the growth is thick. It looked more impressive than it was. It took about 20 minutes to extinguish it and then we have to wet it down. That's where most of the time is spent."

There were no injuries.