Pointsettia Fire 60% contained

CARLSBAD - A wind-driven brush fire that damaged or destroyed more than two dozen Carlsbad residences, downed power lines and forced thousands of evacuations was about 60 percent contained early today.

The so-called Poinsettia Fire broke out for unknown reasons shortly after 10:30 a.m. Wednesday near Poinsettia Lane and Alicante Road, just east of El Camino Real. Winds quickly pushed the flames about 400 acres and west toward neighborhoods and some high-tech businesses.

An 18-unit apartment complex, eight houses and two commercial structures were damaged or destroyed Wednesday, city officials...