4,500 acre Malibu fire is 80 percent contained

MALIBU - Headed into Day Four, the 4,500-acre Malibu fire was about 80 percent contained today, with no active flames reported.

Six homes, including a landmark castle and at least three oceanfront homes, the Malibu Presbyterian Church and five businesses in the Malibu Colony shopping center were destroyed in the early hours of the blaze, which roared out of Malibu Canyon before dawn on Sunday.

All together, 22 structures were damaged or destroyed. The fire, which was burning east from Malibu Canyon, was halted before reaching Las Flores Canyon.

How the fire started has not been determined, but it is believed to have been sparked near Malibu Canyon and Piuma roads by power lines blown down by Santa Ana winds that were clocked at hurricane force in the area.

Some canyon roads were reopened today, and some of the roughly 1,500 evacuees were being allowed to go home.

No serious injuries were reported in connection with the fire.