Photos Courtesy Paul Clark & Dustin Long
Jaimie Franklin
Assistant News Editor
Firefighters are now cleaning up what remains of a fire that began in Bluffs Park Monday that attracted a large crowd in Alumni Park where flames were visible.
“The neighborhood looks like a war zone,” County Fire Chief Michael Freeman said. “Anything that was down there that could burn, did burn.”
Fueled by Santa Ana winds of up to 25 mph, investigators say the fire began in Bluffs Park at around 5 p.m., jumped across Malibu Rd. and then destroyed four ocean-front mansions and one guest house. The fire was fully contained and Pacific Coast Hwy. was reopened by 9:30 p.m.
“It was moving really fast,” student Rico Tucker said.
Officials initially reported that 10 structures were destroyed but the number was later reduced once a better assessment was possible, according to Inspector Ron Haralson of L.A. County Fire.
An unidentified individual was hospitalized for smoke inhalation and released and there were no reported injuries among firefighters. A dog sustained leg injuries but has been treated.
The Los Angeles County Arson Unit is still investigating the cause of the fire.
A red flag warning will remain in effect for the Southland until Tuesday afternoon according to the Los Angeles County Fire Dept.
01-09-2007
Photos Courtesy Paul Clark & Dustin Long.