Celebrity community in path of California fire

Hundreds of homes have now been destroyed by the wild fires raging in California. The community of Montecito, north-west of Los Angeles, home to numerous well-known celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Michael Douglas and Rob Lowe, has been ravaged. More than 100 luxury mansions have been reduced to ashes.

Fire-fighters are also trying to bring a blaze under control near Santa Barbara. 10,000 people have been forced to flee the fires. The flames are being fanned by strong winds gusting at up to 130km an hour. Motorways have been closed.

The Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles. It is not yet known how the fires started. Thirteen people have been injured.

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