State offers $100,000 to catch arsonist

FIRE crews yesterday struggled to protect homes from a wind-whipped wildfire that trapped and killed four firefighters in a wall of flames as it raced across almost 38 square miles in southern California.

Authorities have offered a $100,000 (€78,500) reward for information leading to the arrest of the arsonist.

The blaze was last night burning in the San Jacinto Mountains just west of Palm Springs. It destroyed 10 structures, including at least five homes. At one point, several hundred mountain residents took refuge with campers in a nearby RV park where crews could protect them.