Los Angeles inferno: Worst fire in city's history prompts mass evacuations
The horror in California continues. Strong winds are accelerating the rapid spread of fire in the coastal district of Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles. Thousands of people have been evacuated, while many others are trapped in their homes, unable to contact emergency services. According to reports, this is the worst fire in L.A.'s history. Photos and videos of the disaster are terrifying.
The situation in Los Angeles is becoming increasingly dire. More photos and videos of the disaster are appearing online, resembling apocalyptic scenes. They show raging fires and sparking power lines tangled with trees.
The fire is expected to reach more districts, and those trapped in their homes are warning that they cannot contact emergency services.
In many cases, people are forced to flee as they are, leaving all their belongings behind. Evacuation by car is impossible; highways in many areas are closed, and the fire spreads quickly. Evacuation orders have been issued in other parts of Los Angeles.
The scale of the fire is evident in photos taken from aircraft. Firefighters are battling the blaze unsuccessfully, as strong winds greatly hinder effective firefighting efforts.
There are accusations directed at county authorities, who allegedly refused to refill water tanks. "Fire hydrants in Los Angeles are empty," say alarmed services, adding that the fire cannot be extinguished without water.
The Mayor of Los Angeles was reportedly informed earlier about the fire threat due to forecasted strong winds. Nevertheless, no preparatory actions were taken.
"It's a real hell," say people trying to leave the endangered areas. Chaos reigns in the city, and services cannot control the blaze.
"Please pray for LA !! My house will most likely be gone in the next hour at this pace." read the dramatic posts on social media.
