Evacuations as wildfire breaks out in Los Angeles

(Los Angeles) – More than 1,000 firefighters battled a wind-driven blaze that broke near the renowned Getty Center in Los Angeles, prompting widespread evacuations as the flames destroyed several homes and forced the shutdown of schools and road closures.

The so-called Getty Fire ignited overnight near a major freeway and quickly spread south and west toward neighborhoods, scorching some 600 acres (240 hectares) and sending people fleeing in the dark.

Authorities said some 10,000 structures were under mandatory evacuation orders with some 1,100 firefighters battling to contain the flames.

Among those forced to flee was Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James who tweeted that he and his family had evacuated his home in the upscale neighborhood of Brentwood during the night.

“Man these LA fires aren´t no joke,” he said. “Had to emergency evacuate my house and I´ve been driving around with my family trying to get rooms. No luck so far!”