Tijuana. – Firefighters battled to control a wind-fed grass fire that consumed at least three impoverished houses on the city’s south side and chased a dozen families from their homes.

According to the municipal fire department, the fire began at 10:30 a.m. Monday in an area called Tejamen. There were no reports of injures.

Wind gusts and hot, dry weather challenged firefighters, who had not controlled the fire by mid-day.

Eight fire engines with 32 firefighters were on the scene, according to the fire department.

The fire started in the hill’s dry grass and brush and in less than two hours had consumed the houses.

Authorities evacuated a dozen families.