Brush fire scorches 154 acres in S. California, destroying home

A 154-acre (62.3-hectare) brush fire racing up from a rugged area in Chino Hills city in the U.S. state of California has devoured a large house and spread alarmingly close to others on Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters put out a brush fire that spread to houses in Chino Hills, East of Los Angeles, California, USA, on July 28, 2019. [Photo: EPA via IC/Etienne Laurent]

The home on Miramonte Court appeared to be destroyed. Firefighters used ladders to spray directly into the residence from the caved-in roof, according to local media reports.

The fire began near Falling Star Lane and Chino Hills Parkway. At shortly after 2 p.m. local time (2100 GMT), Chino Valley Fire reported it reached 50 acres (20.23 hectares).

The blaze, dubbed the "Star Fire," had reached 154 acres by 9:30 p.m. local time (0430 GMT Monday), with 65 percent containment. Forward progress was halted, said Massiel De Guevara, spokeswoman for the Chino Valley Fire District.

De Guevara said firefighters with the Chino Valley Fire District and Cal Fire's San Bernardino County Unit would likely be working on putting out the fire through the night.

There were no neighborhood evacuations and no injuries, she said. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Some local roads were closed, though Chino Hills Parkway had reopened by about 10:30 p.m. local time (0530 GMT Monday).