Suspicious Fire Forces Evacuation

A suspicious fire spewing a cloud of orange smoke erupted in a Christmas tree farm late Monday, forcing the evacuation of four firefighters from the scene and about 30 people from nearby homes.

The fire apparently started shortly after 9 p.m. in a shed in the center of the Lyon Christmas Tree Farm under the power lines on the east side of Magnolia Avenue, Orange County Fire Department spokesman Dan Young said.

When firefighters began spraying the flames, a cloud of orange smoke appeared, and the county’s hazardous materials units were called, Young said. Four firefighters who were exposed to the cloud were decontaminated and are under observation, he said. They were not hospitalized.

“It’s suspicious right now,” Young said. “This place has been closed up from Sept. 26. There’s no reason for the shed to burn. It’s some kind of pesticide or agricultural chemicals.”

Firefighters and police evacuated about 30 people from 10 homes, and residents of homes within a four-block radius were told to stay in their homes with the windows and doors shut, Young said.