California fire kills 5, displaces thousands

A fire caused by a malfunctioning vehicle in Northern California has killed five people, scorched more than 80,000 acres, destroyed over 500 structures and forced the evacuation of more than 30,000 residents from Shasta County, authorities said.

As of Sunday morning, the blaze, called the Carr Fire, which started Monday, covered 89,194 acres but was less than 5 percent contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

"Extreme fire conditions continued to challenge firefighters last night. Erratic winds and hot, dry conditions resulted in greater growth and increased fire behavior during night operations," Cal Fire said in an update posted on Twitter at 7 am.

Family members confirmed that 70-year-old Melody Bledsoe, and her two great-grandchildren, five-year-old James Roberts and four-year-old Emily Roberts all died when their home in Redding burned down on Thursday.

A GoFundMe page set up by a family member said Melody Bledsoe's husband, Edward Bledsoe, who survived the fire, had gone out to get supplies when the fire consumed their home. He didn't believe he was under evacuation at the time, the page said.

He reportedly received a phone call from his family members saying the fire was approaching before they died.

"I talked to them until the fire got them," he told The Sacramento Bee. "I'd give my life for them. I just don't know what I've done wrong."

The fundraising page said Edward Bledsoe does not have insurance and rented his home. Around 240 people had contributed $11,215 in support for the Bledsoe family as of Sunday morning.

The fire also claimed the lives of Jeremy Stoke, a fire inspector from the Redding Fire Department, and Don Ray Smith, a bulldozer operator.

Authorities said Stoke died while battling the flames, and Smith was overtaken by the fire while operating the bulldozer.

The Los Angeles Times reported authorities are investigating 13 missing persons cases connected to the fire. There are indications that some reported missing are safe.

Evacuation centers, including a local college, a community church and high schools have been set up to receive the numerous residents displaced from their homes.

Shasta College in Redding reported that it is housing 500 people and had reached maximum capacity on Saturday.

California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in Shasta County on Thursday. He also sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Federal Emergency Management Agency on Friday to request a presidential emergency declaration and federal assistance.

A total of 3,388 firefighters, 334 fire engines, 59 fire crews and 17 helicopters were sent to battle the fire, Cal Fire said.

Contact the writer at teresaliu@chinadailyusa.com