NJ brush fire spurs evacuations

FRANKFORD The fire began around 1:30 p.m. in the Sussex County community of Frankford and had burned more than 40 acres as of 8:30 p.m., officials said. No injuries were reported.

The blaze was expected to continue burning through the overnight hours, but the winds that had driven the blaze earlier in the day had calmed by dusk.

The state Forest Fire Service and several local fire departments were working to contain the blaze, which began when a large branch was knocked into some electric wires and snapped them. The resulting sparks set the tinder-dry area on fire.