Schwarzenegger Declares State of Emergency
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WENN.com
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Monday, October 22, 2007
HOLLYWOOD - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger toured an area devastated by the Malibu wildfire on Monday morning, calling the blaze, believed to be caused by falling power lines, a state tragedy.
The seaside celebrity enclave near Los Angeles was ravaged by a fast-paced wildfire, which broke out early on Sunday morning.
The blaze has already claimed an animal hospital and landmark buildings Hodge Castle, which was reportedly once owned by Bob Dylan, and Malibu Presbyterian Church, as well as five homes. One death has been reported.
At a press conference, the former action man paid tribute to "brave" state firefighters, calling them "the best-trained, the best-equipped, the most experienced" in the world.
Confirming he had declared a state of emergency, Schwarzenegger went on to reveal that fierce winds and hot temperatures had conspired to spark seven individual fires throughout Southern California.
He said, "Tens of thousands of acres have burned, thousands of buildings have been threatened... We're doing all we can to protect the lives and also the property.
"I proclaimed a state of emergency in seven counties."
More than 24,000 acres have been claimed by the Malibu fire, which is still only 10 percent under control. Hundreds people have been evacuated from their homes.
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