A fast-moving wildfire pushed by Santa Ana winds raced through the luxury enclave of Malibu, California early Saturday morning destroying over 50 estates and evacuating nearly 15,000 residents of this exclusive beachfront community in Los Angeles County.

The fires started about 3:30 Saturday morning as seen by Unique Homes Director of Sales Nick Antonicello, a resident of Venice Beach.

“The skies were brightly lit by a full moon and red fires that engulfed my tenth story view to the north. It was a dramatic scene that clearly was spinning out-of-control,” observed Antonicello.

According to news reports, nearly 1,700 fire fighters raced to the scene and by day light, the fires seemed to be under control.

15 helicopters and 15 airplanes including DC 10’s were used to drop water and retardants to control the flames.

Hundreds of local residents in Marina del Rey, Venice Beach and Santa Monica stood along the beach to witness the sky covered with flames and clouds as day time broke.

Malibu, with homes tucked into deep and narrow canyons along the 27-mile coastal community is prone to the severe Santa Anas which cause these out-of-control brush fires.

One of the more effected areas was Corral Canyon, an exclusive neighborhood of about 350 homes was ordered to evacuate. One home, a 3,500 seven level home was engulfed in flames and burned to the ground. It’s estimated value was $2 million dollars.