Two people hurt in fire sparked by lawn mower
June 2, 1996
Web posted at: 12:50 p.m. EDTLAKE ELSINORE, California (CNN) -- A swift-moving fire that charred 700 acres and injured two people was started by a spark from a lawn mower, fire officials said.
A resident was hospitalized with critical burns, and a firefighter who was overcome by heat exhaustion was treated and released.
The fire started Saturday and was still burning Sunday in Lake Elsinore, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. With temperatures expected to reach 100 degrees, fire officials weren't sure when the blaze would be contained.
The fire began in a housing development and quickly spread because of dry brush, hot temperatures and brisk winds. Seven homes and six outbuildings were destroyed.
About 300 firefighters tried to control the fire as helicopters and air tankers doused the flames from above. Fire officials ordered some residents to leave their homes. They were moved to a junior high school.
Joanne Evans, spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry, said residents were caught off guard.
"They're having a fit because the fire came down so fast on them," she said.
There was another brush fire in San Bernardino County Saturday, but no structures were threatened, officials said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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