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Firefighters with the Berkeley Fire Department released dramatic video showing the scene as they arrived to help fight a massive fire burning in Santa Rosa last week.

Firefighters received a mutual aid call to help fight what they thought was a large grass fire burning about 1 hour from Berkeley.

Firefighters from Berkeley Engine 6 were dispatched at 5:00 a.m. on Monday October 9th. They joined up with other strike teams from San Francisco and headed north to Sonoma County.

As they arrived, they could see the glow of the fire and were surprised because it appeared structures were burning. They were told to meet at the K-Mart parking lot in Santa Rosa, and when they pulled up, they found the entire 100,000 square foot building was in flames.

As they continued driving, they quickly realized the entire neighborhood was on fire. They watched as a gas station engulfed in flames and realized there was nothing they could save.


Hundred of homes had already burned to the ground by the time they arrived.

"Oh no. These poor people." you can hear one of the firefighters say as they drive through what used to be a neighborhood.

They finally found the edge of the fire, and a row of unburned houses and began to attack the fire. Their fire engine became the main pumping station with five hose lines running from it. They maxed the hydrant to capacity.

They believe their efforts helped to save 30 homes. Sadly, one of their own firefighters lost his home.

They said they were glad to have made a difference but wished they could have saved more homes.