Homes destroyed by LA wildfire

Fires have erupted in the hills above Los Angeles, destroying several homes as winds swept dry southern California.

Wind speeds of more than 50mph propelled the blaze in grass near expensive mountainside homes above the city of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Ron Myers said.

About 200 firefighters, some using water-dropping helicopters, contained the blaze to less than a square mile in the Beverly Glen district on the south face of the Santa Monica Mountains.

The fire broke out after powerful winds toppled power lines, igniting brush behind a residence, Myers said.

Smaller fires burned elsewhere in southern California, including a 20 acre blaze in Palmdale, a desert city in northern Los Angeles County.

Fires caused power cuts for more than 190,000 customers in Los Angeles County and surrounding areas.