Fast-growing southern California brush fire prompts evacuation orders

Fire reported in Simi Valley, north-west of LA, as mandatory evacuation orders issued for more than 20,000 residents

A fast-growing brush fire ignited on Monday morning in southern California, prompting evacuation orders for thousands of people and damaging at least one home.

The Sandy fire was reported just after 10am in Simi Valley, a city in Ventura county about 30 miles north-west of Los Angeles.