Vegetation fire that burned near homes in Santa Cruz considered suspicious

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) The Santa Cruz Fire Department responded to a report of eucalyptus trees burning near South Branciforte Drive and Ocean View Way Thursday.

When the fire was reported at around 3:45 p.m., crews were told that people in multiple homes on Buena Vista Drive could see the fire. When firefighters got there, they said they found the quarter acre fire burning trees and brush with bystanders in the area.

Crews worked to extinguish the fire while identifying homes that could be threatened, and overhead power lines were a concern, so PG&E responded to the scene.

The fire was extinguished in about 30 minutes. The fire department said it had spread up several trees, but did not spread to any structures.

Investigators said the cause of the fire is still undetermined, but it is considered suspicious.