Apartments Hit by $1-Million Blaze

ANAHEIM — A roof fire stoked by high winds engulfed 24 apartment units Tuesday, injuring at least three firefighters and causing an estimated $1 million in damage, fire officials said.

The fire broke out shortly before 5:30 p.m. at the La Mirada Apartments just off the Riverside Freeway. Fanned by 20 m.p.h. winds, flames quickly spread and destroyed or damaged at least 24 apartment units, said Anaheim Fire Marshal Gary Wilder.

A huge, towering plume of black smoke that swirled above the fire swept over the Riverside Freeway and slowed traffic to a crawl.

Firefighters and police evacuated more than 100 people after the flames began spreading from attic to attic, Anaheim Fire Capt. William Van Horn said.