At least 20 lavish homes overlooking the Coronado Pointe coast were reduced to ashes while several others were seriously damaged after a huge wildfire ripped through Orange County, California scorching 200 acres by Wednesday night.
The Coastal Fire broke out at approximately 2:45 p.m. local time in Laguna Niguel; by 6 p.m., it had already forced evacuation orders and suspended classes across the Coronado Pointe and Pacific Island Drive area.
Chief Brian Hennessy explained that the fast-moving blaze grew stronger due to the very-dry vegetation throughout the state and not wind blows.
“The winds we experienced today are not unusual…these are coastal winds we experience every day,” he said. “Fire like this is going to be more commonplace.”
In the meantime, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office warned on social media that “during times of disaster, some see it as an opportunity to commit crimes of theft and burglary.”
“We want the community to know that the OC Sheriff had deployed sufficient manpower to protect lives and property.”
