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Officials Suspect Arson in 2 Blazes : Disaster: Thousand Oaks and Malibu fires break out within 20 minutes of one another. Both are contained but the first burns 25 acres.

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SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

A suspected arson fire erupted on a rugged hillside near Westlake High School in Thousand Oaks Sunday evening but was contained after burning 25 acres, a Ventura County fire official said.

A second fire ignited at Decker Road and Mulholland Highway near Malibu about 20 minutes after the first blaze, which was reported at 7:40 p.m., said spokeswoman Vicki Sosa.

Sosa said the timing of the fires prompted investigators to think they were connected. They believe the first fire was arson because a witness saw a two-tone white van leaving the area just before it started.

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The lack of wind helped 80 firefighters on 11 engine crews, three hand crews and two bulldozers encircle the first fire within 2 1/2 hours and keep it from moving north toward the North Ranch Country Club nearby, Sosa said.

“Winds are always a major factor in how quickly a fire is brought under control, and we’re lucky we didn’t have to deal with that factor,” Sosa said.

The fire broke out at Via Merida and Lakeview Canyon Road, she said.

The second fire was about two acres in size and was put out in 35 minutes, Los Angles County fire investigators said.

Daryl Kelley is a Times staff writer and David R. Baker is a correspondent.

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