Malibu fires under control

MALIBU - Firefighters gained the upper hand over a fierce wildfire that destroyed 49 homes in the exclusive beachside community of Malibu, allowing residents to return and assess the damage.

The fire was the worst to strike Malibu in 15 years. It was the second major blaze there in just over a month.

The blaze charred 1910ha and forced more than 10,000 people to evacuate the community, popular with many of Hollywood's biggest stars.

Investigators believe the fire was started by people and called its origins suspicious.

- Reuters