MALABAR, Fla. -- At least nine brush fires that ignited the coast of Central Florida, destroying two homes and closing roads, are believed to have been intentionally ignited and a reward is being offered for police tips.

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Families living near two destroyed homes on Corey Road in Malabar said they spotted a person throwing something out of a car minutes before flames ignited a 2,300-acre brush fire on Sunday.

A short time later, a 17-mile stretch of I-95 was closed and homes were evacuated by Brevard County authorities.

"It was just a few little flames and all of the sudden it took off out of nowhere," homeowner Jerry Vitaliano said.

$10,000 Offered For Arsonist

Also Monday, investigators announced a search for the person who set at least eight fires. A $10,000 reward was offered for information on the arsonist.

Several homes were evacuated Sunday but residents were allowed back into their homes Monday.

Anyone with information concerning the fires is urged to call the Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.

Also in Palm Bay, residents living on streets east of St. Andre Blvd. were being evacuated Monday afternoon due to a series of brush fires.

The Red Cross set up a relief station at Bayside High School.

30-Foot Flames Spotted

Meanwhile, in Cocoa, 30-foot-high flames threatened more than 100 homes during a 250-acre fire, prompting several evacuations.

"I got knots in my stomach," fire victim Pam Hales said. "My daughter cooked Mother's Day dinner and we have not been able to eat it. We tried to eat, but nobody could eat."

All Brevard County schools remained open Monday but several roads were closed.

State Road 524 from Cox Road to Friday Road in Cocoa remains closed. And Cox Road is closed between Pine Cone and state Road 524.

Daytona Fire Not Contained

A 1,000-acre fire in Daytona Beach that forced the evacuation of 500 homes late Sunday was only 20 percent contained Monday.

Firefighters have control lines cut around the fire but remained worried about the high winds that are whirling around the county.

All 500 homes in the LPGA subdivision are under a mandatory evacuation Monday. Residents will be allowed to show ID and return home if they have a special need. They will only be allowed into their homes for a short time, Local 6 reported.

Residents in the area are again being warned of more possible evacuations Monday.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.