Crews investigating cause of Malibu home's backyard slide

MALIBU, Calif. (KABC) -- The day after the backyard of a home in Malibu slid down a hillside, county officials continued to investigate the cause of the slide and kept the property red-tagged.

Although an official cause has not been determined, neighbors believe the slide may have been caused by a broken irrigation system. They saw the sprinklers running frequently before the slide, and broken pipes could be seen in the earth after the dirt slid down.

County crews red-tagged the home although they don't believe the structure itself is in danger of sliding.

Still, the homeowner will have to bring in a geologist to determine if the house is safe.

The homeowner was out of town at the time the backyard began sliding down the hill on Wednesday and no injuries were reported.

Neighbors believe strict building codes in the area mean the house itself is likely secure.

"Anything here has to be on a deepened foundation," said local resident Vitus Matare, who added that some homes are secured 60 to 90 feet into the bedrock.