Thousands flee as wildfire destroys homes

A wildfire tore through Los Angeles’ northern foothills early today sending thousands of residents fleeing in the dark, forcing a hospital to evacuate and destroying an untold number of homes.

The fire broke out late last night in the foothill community of Sylmar on the edge of the Angeles National Forest and quickly spread across 2,600 acres in a few hours as it was driven by a Santa Ana wind that gusted as high as 76mph.