The Franklin Fire started late Monday and has forced up to 18,000 people to evacuate (Picture: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection)
A brush fire in Malibu, California, has grown to more than 2,700 acres and forced thousands to evacuate from one of the most expensive coastlines in the world.
The Franklin Fire ignited late Monday and within about 12 hours has scorched homes, shuttered part of the Pacific Coast Highway, and burned palm trees at Pepperdine University.
By early afternoon on Tuesday, up to 18,000 people and 8,000 people were under evacuation orders or warnings.
Thick, dark smoke billowed from behind the Malibu Canyon Village complex and other areas. Some residents used garden hoses to spray their homes and vegetation overnight.
A mountainside burns as the Franklin Fire grows in Malibu, California (Picture: Getty Images)
Pepperdine University is closed and students are sheltering in place, and other Malibu schools have shuttered as well.
There have been no reports of deaths or serious injuries. However, there were some pet fatalities.
The number of destroyed structures was not immediately known.
‘Because of the great work of the firefighters that were on scene, we have only a minimal number of homes destroyed,’ said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone on Tuesday morning.
The fire started near Pepperdine University, reported KTLA.
Its cause is still under investigation.
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