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California wildfires: Six killed as hundreds of homes destroyed

Two children and their great-grandmother among the six killed as a wildfire rages in northern California.

An historic schoolhouse burns as the Carr Fire tears through Shasta, Calif., Thursday, July 26, 2018. Fueled by high temperatures, wind and low humidity, the blaze destroyed multiple homes and at leas
An historic schoolhouse burns as the Carr Fire tears through Shasta, California. Fueled by high temperatures, wind and low humidity, the blaze destroyed multiple homes and at least one historic building. [Noah Berger/AP Photo]
Published On 30 Jul 201830 Jul 2018
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At least six people, including two firefighters and two children and their great-grandmother, have been killed in a wildfire that continues to rage through parts of northern California. 

According to officials, the death toll reached six on Sunday after the remains of an individual were found in a burnt-out residence. They added the individual had not complied with an evacuation order. 

Authorities said they were still looking for seven people after finding nine others who had been reported missing. 

More than 38,000 people remained under evacuation orders on Sunday in and around Redding, a city of 90,000 people about 257km north of the state capital Sacramento.

Redding Police Sergeant Todd Cogle confirmed that three bodies discovered at a fire-ravaged home on the outskirts of Redding on Saturday were two children and their great-grandmother.

The victims identified by relatives on Facebook and in news media reports were James Roberts, five, his sister Emily, four, and their great-grandmother, Melody Bledsoe, 70.

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Bledsoe’s granddaughter, Amanda Woodley, said on Facebook the elderly woman desperately put a wet blanket over the children as their home burned.

“Grandma did everything she could to save them,” Woodly wrote. 

The Carr Fire, which has destroyed more than 650 structures, is the deadliest and most destructive of nearly 90 wildfires burning from Texas to Oregon. The blazes have killed four firefighters in California in a little more than two weeks.

Firefighters discuss plans while battling the Carr Fire in Shasta, Calif., on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Firefighters discuss plans while battling the Carr Fire in Shasta. [Noah Berger/AP Photo]
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Homes leveled by the Carr Fire line the Lake Keswick Estates area of Redding, Calif., on Friday, July 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Homes levelled by the Carr Fire line the Lake Keswick Estates area of Redding, California. [Noah Berger/AP Photo]
Carla Bledsoe, facing camera, hugs her sister Sherry outside of the sheriff''s office after hearing news that Sherri''s children James, 4, and Emily 5, and grandmother were killed in a wildfire Saturday
Carla Bledsoe, facing camera, hugs her sister Sherry outside of the sheriff's office after hearing news that Sherri's children James, four, and Emily five, and grandmother were killed in a wildfire in Redding. [Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo]
San Bernardino County Fire department firefighters assess the damage to a neighborhood in the aftermath of a wildfire, Sunday, July 29, 2018, in Keswick, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Bernardino County Fire department firefighters assess the damage to a neighbourhood in the aftermath of a wildfire in Keswick. [Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo]
Firefighter Scott Brown sprays water on a backfire while battling the Carr Fire in Redding, Calif., on Saturday, July 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Firefighter Scott Brown sprays water on a backfire while battling the Carr Fire in Redding. [Noah Berger/AP Photo]
Deer graze along a road covered in fire retardant as the Carr Fire burns near Redding, Calif., on Saturday, July 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Deer graze along a road covered in fire retardant as the Carr Fire burns near Redding, California. [Noah Berger/AP Photo]
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An aircraft drops fire retardant to slow the spread of the Carr Fire, west of Redding, California, U.S. July 27, 2018. REUTERS/Fred Greaves
An aircraft drops fire retardant to slow the spread of the Carr Fire, west of Redding, California. [Fred Greaves/Reuters]
A burned out vehicle sits in front of a wildfire-ravaged home Saturday, July 28, 2018, in Redding, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
A burned out vehicle sits in front of a wildfire-ravaged home in Redding. [Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo]
An inmate fire crew cuts fire lines in hot and smoky conditions while working to stop the spread of the Carr Fire, west of Redding, California, U.S. July 27, 2018. REUTERS/Fred Greaves TPX IMAGES OF T
An inmate fire crew cuts fire lines in hot and smoky conditions while working to stop the spread of the Carr Fire, west of Redding, California. [Fred Greaves/Reuters]


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