Fire-fighting planes battle California wildfires as over 1,000 families evacuate from homes

A FIRE-FIGHTING plane drops red retardant in a battle against raging wildfires which forced 1,000 families to evacuate their homes. At least 20 pricey properties burned to the ground in Laguna Niguel, in California’s upmarket Orange County. A fire-fighting plane drops red retardant in a battle against raging wildfires which forced 1,000 families to evacuate their homes At least 20 pricey properties burned to the ground in Laguna Niguel, in California’s upmarket Orange County Emergency teams blamed the fire’s spread on high winds and the sheer size of the homes. The cause was under investigation. Flames tore through dried grasslands gutting 20 homes and damaging at least 11 others, county officials said. Emergency teams on the ground hosed down burned out residences to try and prevent embers flaring up. Read more on California fires HOMES SCORCHED Map shows horror escalation of 200-acre fire as new details on cause emerge TRAGIC ACCIDENT Katastro star, 32, among 3 killed in horror car crash Two firefighters were treated in a hospital while 550 tackled the blaze. The blaze, dubbed the Coastal Fire, broke out in Laguna Niguel at 2.44pm local time on Wednesday. It quickly grew from three to roughly 200 acres by 6pm on Wednesday. Most read in The Sun KREMLIN FURY Russia accuses West of 'total hybrid war' after threat to nuke UK 'in seconds' BUSTING TROLLS I’m boob-shamed online - men say they’re saggy and joke they’re so far apart CASH IN Thousands of households to get £150 free cash next week UNITED NO MORE Man Utd training SCRAP as two senior stars pulled apart in shocking scenes DAME IN A DAY I could've spoken to Wills all day, says Deborah James as she gets Damehood DAME & THE DUKE Deborah James posts photo with Prince William as royal presents Damehood Emergency teams blamed the fire’s spread on high winds and the sheer size of the homes Flames tore through dried grasslands gutting 20 homes and damaging at least 11 others, county officials said