Pomona fire destroys 4 homes, injures firefighter

A fast-moving fire in a residential neighborhood in Pomona injured one firefighter and destroyed four homes, Los Angeles County fire officials said Saturday.

 About 150 fire personnel battled the flames, which began just after 5 p.m. in a shed behind an apartment building on Gordon Street in Pomona. After igniting an oak tree and a palm tree, the blaze destroyed the apartment and then spread quickly through the neighborhood as wind carried embers for more than a block.

The flames damaged eight additional homes, a detached garage and a few cars. County fire inspector Frank Garrido said the flames were fueled by trees and vegetation around the houses. “There is thick, heavy dense growth in the backyards,” Garrido said.

A fire captain suffered a back injury and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Neighbors reported that illegal fireworks might have sparked the blaze, but Garrido said investigators have ruled that out as a possible cause.

 -- Anna Gorman