Former Fresno State student among those who lost home in Tubbs Fire
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A wall of fire and intense heat raced through several Santa Rosa neighborhoods early Monday morning while many people were sound asleep.
It left behind piles and piles of devastation. Everywhere you look, demolished homes downed power lines and unimaginable tragedy for families.
One of those families is former Central Valley resident Mike Sullivan. He studied viticulture and enology at Fresno State and like many others, his home was wiped out.
In an interview with PBS Newshour, Sullivan describes the moment the flames crept above the ridge--a warning that saved his family.
"Just this incredible noise that was nothing it had to be fire so we ran back to the house woke up the kids and we all left. We left within three minutes," said Sullivan.
On Facebook, Sullivan says the loss is quote "a very very sad day for so many people in Sonoma County. My home is gone but my spirit is not broken."
Meantime out in the field, Central Valley firefighters continue to battle the Tubbs Fire, as strong winds create challenging situations on the fire line.
While they are doing that, Red Cross crews from the central valley region are also stepping in to help.
"We have volunteers on the ground that are working in mental health spiritual care so it really does take a coordinated effort to respond to a disaster of this size," said Barry Falke.
Collective work from several Valley first responders providing hope for thousands in Northern California during some of their darkest days.
