Intense blaze demolishes California's San Bernardino neighbourhood

A rapidly spreading wildfire swept through a California neighbourhood on Monday afternoon, swiftly consuming 54 acres and multiple homes.

The fire officials reported that the inferno sparked in San Bernardino County’s Little Mountain neighbourhood at 2:40pm.

Moreover, the Fire Protection District of the area reported that the fire began with a 5-acre brush fire.

“The flames began as a 5-acre brush fire but rapidly grew in size as they engulfed residential streets, covering a steady 54 acres by 5:45pm,” according to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.

He further added that “the fire was 25% contained and ceased growing in size by 5:45pm”

The footage shows the devastating effects of the large Edgehill fire that burned down several homes to their foundations.

As the fire approached, residents in the area were asked to evacuate immediately to avoid any human casualities.

In this regard, the displaced community members were sent to the Red Cross evacuation centre at Cajon High School.

Speaking to KTLA5, fire department spokesperson Eric Sherwin shared that this area is accustomed to fire. He added that the residents are aware of such emergency situations.

“Little Mountain is a community that is not unaccustomed to fire,” fire department spokesperson Eric Sherwin said to KTLA5. “The residents here are aware of fire and the threat that exists in this community. As engines were pulling up, people were already evacuating out of this area.”

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, San Bernardino Fire Chief Martin Serna stated that, “Four homes were damaged by the flames — including two that were completely levelled.”

According to sources, the residents tried to stop the approaching fire with the help of buckets filled with water.

“The whole community came and started getting buckets and pouring the water up there,” Chris Herman said. “We didn’t want it to spread down here.”