Five dead in north California wildfire: sheriff’s office

Los Angeles (AFP) – At least five people have died in a massive wildfire raging in northern California, according to local authorities who were working Friday to locate other potential victims.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office said the victims were located Thursday in the town of Paradise, whose 26,000 residents were told to flee the fire’s path.

“The preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were located in vehicles that were overcome by the Camp Fire,” said a statement, adding that they had yet to be identified.

It said an interagency team had been formed to investigate and identify additional fatalities.