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California wildfire endangers Pepperdine campus
Students watched as flames rolled by, but no injuries and minimal damage were reported.
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A wildfire that broke out late Monday night endangered the campus of Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. It was among more than 8,100 homes and structures under threat, The Associated Press reported.
Late Tuesday morning, the university reported that campus was safe, with minimal damage and no injuries. Power was restored by Wednesday, but some spot fires remained.
Related: Fire destroys Alabama church building
The Franklin Fire, as it’s being called, ignited in the Malibu canyon just before 11 p.m. and spread southward toward the university, which is associated with Churches of Christ.
Pepperdine had directed those on campus to shelter in place at designated locations around 3 a.m., as the Los Angeles County Fire Department ordered more than 2,000 families to evacuate.
About 3,000 students watched as flames moved past and lit the sky red, AP reported.
The blaze at one point surrounded the Phillips Theme Tower, a 125-foot marker on campus featuring the shape of a cross.
Flames from the Franklin Fire surround the Phillips Theme Tower on the campus of Pepperdine University.
The university lifted its shelter-in-place order just before 10 a.m. and canceled its Tuesday classes and exams. Later, Pepperdine announced all remaining in-person finals were canceled.
“We ask for your continued prayers in the coming days — prayers for the safety of those in the fire’s path, strength and endurance for our local first responders, and abiding peace for all those affected,” Pepperdine President Jim Gash said in a statement.
The Franklin Fire intruding on Pepperdine’s campus Dec. 9. Shelter-in-place was called into effect early Tuesday morning, Dec. 10.
“As we emerge from this challenge, we will remain rooted in faith, leaning on one another, and serving our Malibu community together with God’s help.”
Gash thanked firefighters and other first responders, who were still working to get the Franklin Fire under control.
Another gust of Santa Ana winds strengthened the blaze heading into Tuesday night, which officials estimated had already burned more than 3.5 square miles, according to AP.
Pepperdine directed those on campus to shelter in place again Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, and roads to the Malibu campus remained closed Wednesday.
