Hundreds Flee Malibu Fires

Massive brushfires raged through Malibu today, causing hundreds to flee and destroying at least 6 buildings. Officials say that the 1,000-acre fire is out of control despite 500 firefighters on the scene and almost 1,000 en route. Twenty-to-thirty mile-per-hour winds will sustain the fire for days and threaten thousands of homes, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. 

The fire's two prongs are now burning on both sides of Malibu Canyon, one within hundreds of feet of pricey Serra Estates. At least one historic building, the castle home of a philanthropist, has gone up in flames, but no injuries are reported. Toppled power lines last night sparked the blaze, which heavy winds carried to the Pacific Coast Highway. (More Malibu stories.)