Back to rubble, some 'lost everything' in California fire
REDDING, Calif. (AP) — Carol Smith and her family walked into their hillside neighborhood Thursday to find her home reduced to mangled metal and piles of bricks after a massive Northern California wildfire leveled more than 1,000 homes.
"I'm waiting to probably break down any minute here. Pretty overwhelming," Smith said as the family stood on the sidewalk staring in disbelief at what's left of their house in the city of Redding.
The family, who wore masks and spotted a sign warning of hazardous materials, received hugs and pats on the back from disaster relief volunteers who met them. Chaplains and mental health experts also were being sent to neighborhoods to accompany those returning home.