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Fast-Moving Fire On Brannan Island Destroys Half A Dozen Homes

BRANNAN ISLAND, Sacramento County (CBS SF) – A fast-moving fire on Brannan Island in the Delta has damaged at least half a dozen homes Thursday.

According to authorities, the grass fire was called in a little after 4:00 p.m. on the island, located between Rio Vista and Antioch. Flames engulfed homes in the area and shot up to the tops of palm trees. The fire also destroyed several cars and boats.

Sheila Vigil, who has come to the park for years, is still in shock. "I don't have any words. Oh God, Why?" Vigil said.

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Firefighters still don't know why or how the fire began, only that it sparked at the roadside and spread so quickly that the three engines that arrived could not get a handle on it.

The wind was blowing the fire so quickly, many of the trailers were already engulfed when firefighters arrived.

"On top of that, we also had other area agencies that were already fighting fires and on other emergency calls that limited our resources," said Assistant Chief Jessie Rosewall of River Delta Fire.

Larry Rodriguez could only watch as the trailer he moved into a few months ago went up in flames. "It is kind of an empty sensation. I mean, there is nothing you can do about it," Rodriguez told KPIX 5.

According to firefighters, no one was injured and that they were able to save a couple dozen homes. Firefighters planned to stay through the night to tamp down any hot spots.

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