Spread of the 'Railroad Fire' in Santa Clarita halted; 85 percent contained

(FOX 11/CNS) - A brush fire scorched about 10 acres of vegetation while spreading to a pair of apartment complexes today in Santa Clarita, but there were no immediate reports of any injuries.

The so-called "Railroad Fire" was reported at 4:18 p.m. in the 20900 block of Via Estrella, north of Newhall Road and west of the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Flames roared uphill through thick brush toward a pair of residential complexes as helicopter crews made water drops and ground crews moved in to protect the structures.

The Los Angeles Fire Department sent resources to assist in battling the flames.

An hour after the blaze was first reported, crews had made substantial progress in dousing most of the open flames, but black smoke and fire could be seen coming from the roof of an apartment complex. Fire crews on the scene worked to contain the flames to the attic area of the building off Alder Drive.

A second apartment complex on Alder Drive also sustained damage on a lower floor, according to a report from the scene.

The fire's spread was halted about 6:15 p.m. with about 10 acres burned. Containment was at 85 percent by Tuesday morning, authorities said.

An evacuation center was set up at Golden Valley High School for those affected by the fire.

Newhall Avenue was closed between Sierra Highway and Railroad Avenue and Dockweiler Drive was closed at Sierra Highway, according to the sheriff's department, which advised motorists to use Golden Valley Road as an alternate route.

As crews battled the blaze, a second brush fire, this one about a quarter-acre in size, broke out in the area of the Antelope Valley Freeway and Sand Canyon Road, but water drops made quick work of the flames.