That's One Hot Maserati, Mister...

Police estimate 24 cars were either destroyed or damaged Thursday afternoon when a grass fire ignited in the parking area at the Sun 'N Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, FL. The fire was reportedly sparked by the hot exhaust system of a Maserati sedan.

Towering black smoke could been seen south of the airfield, and sirens could be heard in the background as the Air Force's F-15 Demonstration Team roared over the flight line just after lunchtime Thursday. Winds from the east quickly spread the flames to nine nearby vehicles before firefighters brought the blaze under control.

As ultralights maneuvered around the column of smoke as they came in to land at a nearby landing strip, spectators initially feared the worst. As the flames spread, minor explosions could be heard as tires and fuel tanks exploded from the heat.

It soon became clear, though, that an aircraft had not sparked the fire. No one was injured in the conflagaration.

"It's a sad situation that 24 people don't have their vehicle. And a lot of these were out-of-state vehicles," said Cheryl Edwards of the Lakeland Fire Department to Tampa's ABC-TV affiliate.

Central Florida is currently suffering from drought conditions, with over a month since the last recorded rainfall.

Ultralight Amphib Down At Lake Parker

Earlier Thursday morning, an amphibious ultralight participating in the "Splash-In" at Lake Parker flipped over during takeoff. The owner and pilot, Dr. Lee Woodriff, was not injured, according to the Polk County Fire Department.

On Wednesday, a taxiing AT-6 Texan trainer also collided with a ground vehicle on the ramp, according to an FAA Preliminary report. Again, thankfully, no one was injured.

FMI: Read ANN's Coverage Of The 2006 Lakeland Fly-In