(FOX40.COM) – What was once a historic Gold Rush town is now reduced to ash and rubble. The TCU September Lightning Complex Fire tore through Chinese Camp overnight, leaving a church, homes, and other historic sites and farmlands destroyed.
Among the few buildings left standing is the Chinese Camp Store & Tavern, a landmark that has been in the community since the 1930s.
The Beale Family, who have owned the store for eight years, returned Wednesday after evacuating to find their town nearly gone.
“I was at work when I heard about it, I was in Livermore,” said Richard Beale. “I got in my truck and drove as fast as I could within reason to get here.”
They were escorted by Tuolumne County Sheriff’s patrol units as they assessed their store and witnessed the surrounding destruction for themselves.
Beale’s wife, Add, and their son Samuel were inside the store when the fames forced them to close shop, evacuate customers, and flee for their own safety.
“We didn’t see the fire until we were about to evacuate,” Samuel recalled. “I was very surprised that the fire spread to Chinese Camp.”
Samuel managed to save some items from the store and open the gate so their livestock could escape. When the family returned, they found all of their animals alive and well, happily munching on scattered fruits and vegetables from their store – a much-needed moment of relief.
While they are grateful that their store and home were not destroyed by the fire, the family says it’s witnessing the losses and damages of their neighbors that is the most overwhelming.
“Nobody’s got fire insurance here,” said Richard. “The prices kept going up and in fact doubled the last year, so most of the people don’t have fire insurance and they’re wiped out and these are kind, decent people.”
Richard said that even one of their friends lost his own home to a fire, he still came over to water their house.
Now staying in a hotel, the Beales are unsure when they will be able to return home. But amid the devastation, the Beale family says the community’s kindness has shined through.
“Many people say, ‘If you need a place, just come stay with us,’” said Add.
Despite their losses, the family opened what was left of some of their stock to offer free ice bags, snacks, and even ice cream to help remaining residents and even fire crews keep cool. One woman rushed to their freezer to take water and packs of cheese, saying that this was the only food she would have.
“We love our neighbors, and they love us,” said Richard. “I hope we find some ways to help them get back.”
Chinese Camp’s future remains uncertain as fire crews continue working to contain the fire still scorching through Tuolumne County and other parts of the region.
For now, the family hopes that by leaning on each other, the town will eventually begin to heal.
Josie Heart
Source link