Los Angeles: Big fire near the Hollywood icon

One of the terrible fires over the past four decades in Los Angeles, USA happened at Griffith Park, which has the symbol - the famous Hollywood word. The fire spread over 320 hectares at Griffith Park, leaving 300 people evacuated, at least one house destroyed.

Speaking at a press conference on May 9, Mayor Los Angeles Villaraigosa said that 75% of the fires have been contained and that by the end of the day it will be fully controlled. Reports say the fire may have arisen when a homeless man slept while smoking. The fire erupted on Tuesday afternoon (May 8), east of the Hollywood symbol and quickly spread to thick bushes. Fire spreads due to strong winds and dry weather, high temperatures.

Terrible fires during the past 4 decades (Photo: VN)

Currently, the previously issued evacuation order was removed. Half of the 600 firefighters at the scene were able to go home. However, Griffith Park - up to 1,685 hectares, the attraction for Greek Theater, Los Angeles Zoo and Griffith Observatory, will be closed yesterday.

Grifftith is the largest park in Los Angeles and one of the largest parks in the world. The famous Hollywood inscription is located on the south side of Lee Mountain in Griffith Park.

Reportedly, a 20-year-old youth was injured by the fire. This character was arrested for suspected smoking in the restricted area. The fire department said the man had overslept while smoking at a homeless shelter.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge describes the Griffith Park fire as the most terrible here since 1961, when a two-day fire in Bel Air-Brentwood neighborhood destroyed nearly 500 homes, causing more than 20 million USD.

M. Nguyen