By Madhuri Dey
Nov. 4 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Fire broke out on Tuesday morning near the Diamond Ranch High School. According to Inspector Frederick Stowers of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the fire might have been caused by the sparks emitted from the malfunctioning catalytic converter of a truck. He said that at times faulty converters eject hot metal shavings. The fire was aggravated by the dry vegetation that lines the slopes of the freeway. No official arrests have been made as there has so far been no evidence of it being arson. Two people have been detained and are being questioned. Investigations are still being carried out.

The fire broke out on Tuesday morning around 11:45. It was reported to have broken out on a slope south of the 60 freeway. The incident was reported by other drivers who were present there. The truck that is suspected as having caused the fire was pulled over on the 60 in Ontario near Euclid Avenue. It has been reported by a local television channel to be a white colored Ford F-150 pickup truck. The two people who have been arrested are the driver and another man who was with him. The police have dismissed them as suspects.

The fire had spread out over an area of about 50 acres. There was no structural damage incurred and no loss of life either, although the fire had threatened the nearby buildings. The fire had broken out in around six to eight places near the Diamond Ranch High School. Students had taken shelter inside the school and escaped unhurt. Four civilians suffered minor injuries from smoke inhalation and a firefighter was also hurt.