STUART, Fla. --
An elementary school and about 100 homes in Stuart were being evacuated Wednesday because of a large brush fire in the area.
About 25 fire-rescue units were at the scene of the 50-acre brush fire at the Haney Creek Preserve off Dixie Highway. The homes were being evacuated between Baker Road and Dixie Highway.
All students and staff at Felix Williams Elementary School on Baker Road were evacuated and taken by bus to Martin County High School as a precaution, Martin County school district spokeswoman Cathy Brennan said.
The students are safe and were being housed in the gymnasium, Brennan said.
Parents needing to pick up their children were being asked to pick them up at Martin County High School. They need to bring a driver's license or identification card.
Students who normally ride the bus to school will be dropped off at their usual drop-off location.
Traffic on Baker Road was closed east of U.S. Highway 1.
Heavy smoke could be seen from Hobe Sound, WPBF News 25's Meredith McDonough said.
Resident Jay Skidmore said he watched the fire grow, saying it took about 10 or 15 minutes before it got out of control.
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