2 Die in Tijuana Blazes That Destroy 90 Homes; Many Lose Electric Power

In Tijuana, winds kicked up a series of fires Sunday that killed two people, destroyed 90 homes and dislocated scores of residents before being contained. Half of the homes were in a humble settlement not far from the city’s main garbage dump.

Maria del Refugio Pena, 22, burned to death after winds caused a short circuit in a power line connected to her house, officials said.

The burned body of Tomas Sanchez Zaragoza, 37, was found in his house in another part of the city although officials were unable to immediately give details on the circumstances of his death.

Many of the houses caught fire from wind-carried embers and flaming debris. The winds knocked down trees and sent signs, banners and television antennas flying.

Thirty-four people were being housed in a city-run shelter, officials said.

About half of Tijuana’s 1.3 million residents lost power at least temporarily as a result of the winds and fires, said Jose Ruiz Rosas, an official of Baja’s Civil Protection agency.

In many of Tijuana’s lower-income neighborhoods, homes are densely packed and built of plywood and other materials that burn easily.

Many homes illegally siphon electricity from power lines. City officials warned residents Monday that electricity lines should not hang over the roofs of their homes and urged them not to use power obtained in that way.