US: Fire spreading Hollywood Hills, endangering landmarks

The inferno sweeping Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the US, has leapt onto the Hollywood Hills, endangering fabled landmarks in the area today. Nearly 150,000 people were under evacuation orders last night as the fires burned down 7,000 hectares, killed at least five people, and destroyed over 1,000



buildings. 

Hurricane-force winds on Tuesday sent the fires, which started earlier this week on the outer fringes of Los Angeles, leaping across suburbs and neighbourhoods, finally reaching the Hollywood Hills by the time the winds slowed. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said he has never seen anything like this.