SAN BERNARDINO, California — Several homes burned down Monday as a rapidly spreading wildfire consumed a hillside community in California, evacuating residents as hundreds of firefighters battled to contain the blaze.
According to San Bernardino County fire officials, the Edgehill fire broke out around 2:40 p.m. in the 3300 block of Beverly Drive on Little Mountain.
Early reports said the fire, battled by more than 200 firefighters, had grown to at least 100 acres (40 hectares). By 6 p.m., county officials said the fire had stopped moving and was 54 acres (22 hectares) with the blaze 25 percent contained, the San Bernardino County Fire Department said. said on Xformerly known as Twitter.
“The fire is currently largely under control,” the department said.
Arson investigators were still trying to determine what started the fire Monday night. One person was held for several hours but has been released, San Bernardino police said.
The Los Angeles Times reported that videos from the scene showed at least three homes destroyed by fire, with residents fleeing their burning properties amid smoke-filled skies. One video circulating on social media showed a man running up a hill while holding a large turkey as flames raged behind him.
With temperatures in San Bernardino reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday, the National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for the area through 11 p.m. Tuesday, when temperatures are expected to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
Evacuation orders were issued for all residents south of Ridge Line Drive and north of Edgehill Road, west to Beverly Drive, and east to Circle Road. As of 9 p.m. Monday, authorities said the evacuation orders would remain in effect.
San Bernardino is located approximately 60 miles (97 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.