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Southern California shaken by 6.4 magnitude earthquake Southern California shaken by 6.4 magnitude earthquake
(32 minutes later)
Southern California has been struck by a moderate earthquake of 6.4 magnitude, which has caused some fires. Southern California has been struck by a strong earthquake of 6.4 magnitude, causing fires and damaging buildings.
The tremor's epicentre was near the city of Ridgecrest, about 150 miles (240 km) northeast of Los Angeles.The tremor's epicentre was near the city of Ridgecrest, about 150 miles (240 km) northeast of Los Angeles.
People from the Mojave Desert to the Pacific coast are reported to have felt shaking as the US celebrated Independence Day. Firefighters said they were providing medical assistance and dealing with fires in and around the city.
Firefighters said they were providing medical assistance and dealing with fires in and around Ridgecrest. People from the Mojave Desert to the Pacific coast are reported to have felt the quake, which is the strongest to hit the region in two decades.
It is the strongest earthquake to hit the region in more than two decades. The Ridgecrest Regional Hospital has been evacuated, the Kern County Fire Department tweeted.
The city's mayor, Peggy Breedon, told CNN that some people had been struck by objects falling from buildings and gas lines had been broken. The city's mayor, Peggy Breeden, told CNN that a state of emergency has also been declared in the city.
Ms Breeden said that some people had been struck by objects falling from buildings and gas lines had been broken.
"We are used to earthquakes but we're not used to this significance," she said."We are used to earthquakes but we're not used to this significance," she said.
Stephen Sykes, who lives in Ridgecrest, was in the shower when his house started to shake.Stephen Sykes, who lives in Ridgecrest, was in the shower when his house started to shake.
"The whole house shook violently and we both ran out into the street. This went on for about ten to fifteen seconds, we were really scared," he told the BBC."The whole house shook violently and we both ran out into the street. This went on for about ten to fifteen seconds, we were really scared," he told the BBC.
"Currently we are getting ready in case there's another one. We are moving items onto the floor and have turned off the gas supply. We will probably sleep outside tonight," he added."Currently we are getting ready in case there's another one. We are moving items onto the floor and have turned off the gas supply. We will probably sleep outside tonight," he added.
The earthquake was reportedly felt as far as Las Vegas in Nevada. There have been several smaller aftershocks.The earthquake was reportedly felt as far as Las Vegas in Nevada. There have been several smaller aftershocks.
US President Donald Trump tweeted that the situation was under control.US President Donald Trump tweeted that the situation was under control.
Lucy Jones, a seismologist with the US Geological Survey, told reporters the epicentre was in a relatively uninhabited area.Lucy Jones, a seismologist with the US Geological Survey, told reporters the epicentre was in a relatively uninhabited area.
She said there would likely be a number of aftershocks, some powerful.She said there would likely be a number of aftershocks, some powerful.
One man tweeted images from inside a supermarket in Ridgecrest, which has a population of about 28,000 people, showing the aisle floors covered with fallen items.One man tweeted images from inside a supermarket in Ridgecrest, which has a population of about 28,000 people, showing the aisle floors covered with fallen items.
Have you been affected by the earthquake? If it is safe to do so get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukHave you been affected by the earthquake? If it is safe to do so get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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