Paradise residents mourned the loss of their community Sunday at a memorial for the victims of the massive Camp Fire.
The vigil was held at First Christian Church in Chico where one resident, Paul Stavish, reflected back on what used to be.
The 72-year-old retired computer engineer placed a battery-powered votive candle on an altar, saying he’s thinking about those who died.
At least 76 bodies were in the fire zone in Butte County and over 1300 people are still unaccounted for.
Stavish moved to Paradise 13 years ago and described the community as warm and tight-knit.
He and his wife and three dogs fled as the flames swept through town.
His house was incinerated. Stavish says he drove up for the memorial from Sacramento where he’s staying in a hotel.
Town of Paradise vigil 4p-7p at First Christian Church in Chico. Remembering lives lost from #Campfire @kron4news pic.twitter.com/46uv91V5FX— Gayle Ong (@GayleOng) November 19, 2018
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
- BAY AREA CITIES NOW AMONG MOST POLLUTED IN WORLD
- AIR QUALITY ISSUES IN BAY AREA EXPECTED UNTIL NEXT WEEK
- CAMP FIRE DEATH TOLL GROWS; HUNDREDS STILL MISSING
- MAP SHOWS HOMES DAMAGED, DESTROYED IN CAMP FIRE
- PG&E CRITICIZED OVER DEADLY CAMP FIRE