County firefighters stop small fire in Malibu, body discovered in crashed car

MALIBU, Calif. - Firefighters quickly stopped a small brush fire Sunday night that scorched about half an acre in Malibu, then discovered a body inside crashed car, but it was unclear if it was related to the fire.   

The blaze, which began near the intersection of South Malibu Canyon and Malibu Knolls roads was reported at 8:17 p.m., according to Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Miguel Ornelas.  

Forward progress of the fire was stopped at 8:57 p.m., Ornelas said. It was then that firefighters discovered a car over the side of Malibu CanyonRoad with a body inside.  

"We don't know if the death was related to the brush fire or to the crash," Ornelas told City News Service.

"It's my understanding the car fellabout 300 feet and firefighters were in the process of recovering the body."  

There was no immediate word yet on the identity of the victim.

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