Blaze Burns Near Shorecliffs School

Firefighters took two hours Wednesday to control a two-acre fire that broke out in a drainage culvert behind Shorecliffs Middle School in San Clemente.

The fire, reported at 11:43 a.m., never threatened the middle school and did not force an evacuation, nor did it cause any structure damage, said Kymbra Fleming, spokeswoman for the Orange County Fire Authority.

A helicopter, nine fire engines, three hand crews and a water tender were used to put out the blaze. The cause of the fire was not known late Wednesday, Fleming said.

A Capistrano Unified School District representative said smoke could be seen from the middle school, 240 Via Socorro, but there was never a need to move students and staff from the campus.

“At no point of time did the school principal feel there was any danger,” said Jackie Price, spokeswoman for Capistrano Unified School District. “We’re very pleased with the quick response of the fire department.”