Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Fire Erupts in Monrovia Foothills

A fire was accidentally started by a gardener north of Avocado Place.

Update (1:01 p.m.): City spokeswoman Jen McLain said the fire has grown to 10 acres after converging with a second fire on the hillsides. Arcadia, Montebello and Glendale units have joined the fire fight. Structures currently remain safe.

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A brush fire broke out in the foothills of Monrovia Saturday morning, police said.

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The fire was started accidentally by a gardener working in a back yard on Avocado Place, Monrovia Police Lt. Nels Ortlund said. Police ordered evacuations of about a dozen homes as a precaution.

"Right now no structures are threatened," Ortlund said.

Find out what's happening in Monroviafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

A helicopter is aiding the fire department in putting out the blaze, Ortlund said.

Monrovia spokeswoman Jennifer McLain said the fire broke out shortly after 11 a.m. and has burned 1.5 acres. It's considered a third alarm fire and units from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service have responded, she said.

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