250 flee wildfire as homes destroyed

A WILDFIRE destroyed four homes and forced about 250 people to flee their homes as it roared through 1,100 acres of rolling, oak-studded hills, US authorities said last night.

The fire was 20% contained on Sunday night and was threatening as many as 20 homes near the community of Santa Margarita, said Nena Portillo of the California Department of Forestry.

The fire, reported to authorities at about 3.15pm, was caused by a spark from an off-road vehicle, and the driver was cited for having a modified exhaust system, Portillo said.