A fast-moving brush fire here destroyed two houses and a shop Monday, Sept. 7.
Fire crews were dispatched at 10:40 a.m. for a fire on the hill west of the city where flames were reported between Cromwell and West streets. The blaze spread across the hillside and destroyed the Garcia family home on Cromwell street and the Pugh family home on Crestview Drive, officials said. The garage belonged to another family.
Much of the hillside was burned, as well.
Another fire call went out at 10:51 a.m. for what is now known as the Manning Fire.
The fire was reported in the area of Green Hollow Road, near the Manning Bridge just west of the city.
Burning in dry fuel and propelled by wind gusts of up to 45 mph, the blaze spread at an alarming rate, officials said.