Pilots die when US fire-fighting planes collide

Two air firefighters have been killed tackling a brush fire started by an arsonist near Los Angeles.

The blaze is flaring out of control, shooting flames to the doorsteps of several luxury homes and has consumed at least one house in the hills.

In northern California, two air tankers collided while fighting a fire in Mendocino County.

Both pilots died.

The blaze near Los Angeles quickly grew to 1,500 acres as temperatures neared 100F (37.8C).

"You never think this is going to happen," said teacher Phil Scorza, whose home was destroyed.

He had owned the home only four months and had spent the summer renovating it.

No one was injured, but residents were encouraged to evacuate, says Los Angeles County fire inspector Ed Martinez.

About 1,000 firefighters aided by nine aircraft fought the blaze on the ground and from the air, and heavy smoke could be seen for miles.

Ground crews used swimming pools to boost their water supply.

The fatal collision of the S-2 tankers came as the pilots were fighting a 200-acre brush fire.

"They were crossing paths with each other," said witness Jeff Anderson. "It looked like one might have knocked the tail off the other one."