A fast-moving wildfire across Northern California's Butte County burned a hospital, hundreds of homes and left five dead on Friday.
Five people were found dead in Paradise after their bodies were recovered from vehicles that were overcome by the flames. Additional reports of deaths in the fire zone have not been confirmed as of now, The Washington Post quoted a statement from the Butte County Sherrif's office as saying.
"The fire is still active and there are many hazards in areas where fatalities have been reported," the statement further read.
An undisclosed number of residents and two firefighters were also injured in the fast-moving fire, according to officials.
Meanwhile, Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California Office of Emergency Services, dubbed the magnitude of the destruction in California as "unbelievable" and "heartbreaking."
"We know that there have been injuries, and we know that there has been loss of life," he said.
The blaze which began on early Thursday swept through the town of Paradise and threatened nearly 26,000 residents, residing in the area with flames measuring 50-foot high.
The first firefighters to arrive found 10 to 15 acres burning. Wind gusts of nearly 50 mph helped speed the fire's growth.
The situation is gradually getting worse with time. Officials warned the blaze could reach the city of Chico, a college town of about 93,000 about six miles from Paradise.
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