A forest fire burned homes in the Californian city of San Bernardino. The fire quickly spread over an area of 40 hectares, encompassing one of the neighborhoods. Residents got involved in the fight against the fire.
The Edgehill Fire broke out Monday afternoon in the wooded hillsides surrounding San Bernardino. High temperatures and low humidity caused the flames to quickly spread until they reached one neighborhood and began to devour homes.
“Real heroes”
Firefighters arrived at the scene, but due to the speed of the fire and the proximity of the buildings, they had to call for backup immediately. Before help arrived, residents of the neighborhood began fighting the flames. According to a woman whose home was in the line of fire, neighbors armed with buckets and garden hoses helped keep the flames away from the building.
“I'm grateful that our community came together. Before the fire department arrived, we fought like true heroes,” she said.
Despite the quick response of services and residents, the flames consumed at least several homes. An evacuation order was announced in part of the city. As reported by the California Fire Department (Cal Fire), the fire was 75 percent contained by Monday evening.
Main image source: PAP/EPA/ALLISON DINNER