Arson Suspected In New Los Angeles Bush Fires

Press, Volume C, Issue 29671, 15 November 1961, Page 15

Arson Suspected In New Los Angeles Bush Fires

(N .Z.P.A.-Reuter—-Copyright) LOS ANGELES, November 13. Nearly 1000 weary fire-fighters battled throughout the night to stop a fire which has so far destroyed 10 houses and caused the evacuation of 150 other homes.

But with 70 m.p.h. winds fanning the blaze in Canyon country about 25 miles north of Los Angeles, fire officials are not hopeful of the fire being brought under control today.

The fire is raging only a few miles from the exclusive Bel Air district, where 456 homes were lost last week in California’s worst fires.

Many well-known film stars were made homeless in the 50 million-dollar fires. Fire officials today had not discounted the theory that the new outbreak was deliberately started, United Press International said.

So far seven persons have suffered minor injuries in the fire and 2500 acres of brush have been destroyed. The fire started in Little Tujunga Canyon, adjoining Kagel Canyon, near the Los Angeles National Forest.

Yesterday, more than 50 nurses and medical staff at the Pacoima Memorial Lutheran Hospital stood by to remove their 65 patients. The blaze crept to within a quarter of a mile of the hospital before being beaten back.

A full Investigation was being made to determine the cause of the blaze. “In all probability arson is the cause of the fire," said the county fire duty chief, Mr Rollin Percy.

He said that the fire started a short time after another fire erupted east of Los Angeles, near Altadena, California, in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.

“That may also have been deliberately started,” he said. The Altadena fire was brought quickly under control.