Brush fire in suburban Los Angeles contatined with 2 detained
Brush fire in suburban Los Angeles contatined with 2 detained
10:07, November 04, 2009 
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Firefighters backed by Super Scooper airplanes and helicopters have finally put multiple brush fires in Diamond Bar about 50 km east of downtown Los Angeles under control, and 2 people were detained for possible links with the blaze Tuesday afternoon.
The fire was reported to break out at 11:45 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on a slope on the south side of the 60 Freeway, a major highway in Diamond Bar area between Phillips Ranch Road and Diamond Bar Boulevard.
About 300 firefighters, 2 Super Scooper fixed-wing airplanes and8 helicopters were called on the scene to launch an aerial and ground attack on the blaze, Los Angeles County Fire Department inspector Frederic Stowers said.
Local television channel reported that the fire might have been caused by a white Ford F-150 pickup. Its faulty catalytic converter shot off sparks underside along the highway and ignited the dry vegetation by the road.
Other drivers made some 30 "911" calls to report the incident.
The owner and another man were reportedly detained as people of interests, but not as suspects by local police.
Catalytic converters, which help oxidize unburned hydrocarbons, can glow red-hot if they malfunction.
Preliminary investigation showed the fire began in "six to eight locations" near Diamon Ranch High School and some homes. Students who had taken shelter inside have been let home unhurt.
No evacuation orders were issued as the majority of structures were not threatened by the blaze.
Vegetation in the scenic residential area is exceptionally dry and the area is dotted with many cul-de-sac homes.
The firefighters were helped by a breeze and easy access to water. Freeway traffic slowed to a crawl as smoke blanketed the area.
At least one house was damaged. Three civilians suffered smoke inhalation, local fire officials said.
Source: Xinhua
The fire was reported to break out at 11:45 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) on a slope on the south side of the 60 Freeway, a major highway in Diamond Bar area between Phillips Ranch Road and Diamond Bar Boulevard.
About 300 firefighters, 2 Super Scooper fixed-wing airplanes and8 helicopters were called on the scene to launch an aerial and ground attack on the blaze, Los Angeles County Fire Department inspector Frederic Stowers said.
Local television channel reported that the fire might have been caused by a white Ford F-150 pickup. Its faulty catalytic converter shot off sparks underside along the highway and ignited the dry vegetation by the road.
Other drivers made some 30 "911" calls to report the incident.
The owner and another man were reportedly detained as people of interests, but not as suspects by local police.
Catalytic converters, which help oxidize unburned hydrocarbons, can glow red-hot if they malfunction.
Preliminary investigation showed the fire began in "six to eight locations" near Diamon Ranch High School and some homes. Students who had taken shelter inside have been let home unhurt.
No evacuation orders were issued as the majority of structures were not threatened by the blaze.
Vegetation in the scenic residential area is exceptionally dry and the area is dotted with many cul-de-sac homes.
The firefighters were helped by a breeze and easy access to water. Freeway traffic slowed to a crawl as smoke blanketed the area.
At least one house was damaged. Three civilians suffered smoke inhalation, local fire officials said.
Source: Xinhua
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