A wildfire tore through the exclusive enclave of Malibu north of Los Angeles on Monday, devastating eight homes as it ripped through several hectares of prime real estate, fire officials said.
The fire erupted at around 5pm, with high winds sending flames roaring through 8 hectares of tinder-dry brush, officials said, destroying Pacific Ocean-front properties worth millions of dollars.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Malibu is popular with A-list celebrities from the film, television and music industries. Hollywood stars such as Mel Gibson, Robert Redford, Bruce Willis and Tom Hanks all own homes in the area.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Sam Padilla said 200 firefighters from across the district had been mobilized to help tackle the blaze, both on the ground and in the air.
Four water-dropping helicopters have been deployed to try and douse the blaze, reports said.
Another LA County Fire Inspector Ron Haralson later said eight buildings had been destroyed while a further five had suffered damage. Officials had earlier said 10 buildings had been lost.
Haralson said 300 firefighters were on the scene.
Dramatic television footage showed fires blazing on land adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, with several beach-front properties in flames.
Houses in the affected area are situated between the oceanfront and the famous Pacific Coast Highway. According to property Web site Zillow.com, homes in the district are valued at between US$2 million and US$10 million.
It was not known what had caused the blaze. Padilla said wind conditions would play a key part in how the fire develops.
"It all depends on the wind," Padilla said. "If the fire gets directed towards the sand it's going to run out of fuel."
The blaze immediately evoked memories of 1993 fires which devastated Malibu. Three people were killed in the blaze, and around 400 homes were gutted, including properties belonging to actors Sean Penn and Ali McGraw.
The fires, which were blamed on arsonists, caused hundreds of millions of dollars damage. A 1996 fire in Malibu injured 11 people and gutted six homes.
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