Thousands return home after Nova Scotia fire

N.S. officials said Sunday a brush fire just outside of Halifax was under control and nearly 5,000 evacuees could return home, after firefighters gained the upper hand in battling the blaze.

RCMP Cpl. Joe Taplin said fire crews did aerial surveys and said that the majority of the homes were at a safe distance from the remaining fire.

About 50 people lived in areas too volatile to be allowed home, however. The department of Natural Resources said it expects the fire to be completely under control sometime on Monday.

The brush fire, which originated 30 kilometres east of Halifax in the rural area of Porters Lake, destroyed at least two homes and damaged about five others.

Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald assured those affected by the fire that the province would provide assistance but did not give specifics.

Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire, but believe they have found where it originated.