By ANA CERON and JASON SCHULTZ

A small brush fire caused a brief scare in a Port St. Lucie neighborhood this afternoon, but was quickly brought under control with all homes escaping any major damage, according to county fire officials.

The fire was first reported at Patio Circle and Grand Drive shortly after 3 p.m., St. Lucie County Fire District spokeswoman Catherine Chaney said. The neighborhood is south of Walton Road and east of Lennard Road.

The flames threatened 15 homes and several vacant lots in the neighborhood. Chaney said the blaze covered about two acres and firefighters were getting it under control as of 4:30 p.m. without any homes being damaged. The only structures that burned were some backyard fences, she said.