Homes engulfed in flames in California

A wildfire fueled by winds of up to 80 mph (130 km/h) is spiraling out of control in Ventura County, California.

The fire was first reported early Wednesday near Moorpark, 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Within hours, it had reached a suburb about 10 miles away from Camarillo, a city of 70,000 people.

Thousands of residents were forced to flee and several were reportedly injured.

Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said the fire spread “dangerously quickly,” destroying everything in its path.

“Bushes are burning, grass is burning, hedgerows are burning, agricultural fields are burning and buildings are burning,” he said.