CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif., Thursday, just after midnight, the Kern County Emergency Communications Center received reports of a large structure on fire. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a multi-story single-family house fully involved in fire. The fire was intense and blowing out of all sides of the 4,200 square-foot home. 

Firefighters implemented a "defensive attack" strategy to protect exposures around the structure and to stop a spreading grass fire. Due to the location and limited water supply, crews started a "water shuttle" operation to bring water into the incident with rotating fire engines. The severely burned home, with a basement and compromised structure, limited the effectiveness of firefighters on scene. To aid them in firefighting and overhaul a KCFD Dozer was dispatched to breakdown the remaining damaged structure. Firefighters remained on scene, well into the morning to fully extinguish the structure and 8.4 acres of burned grass. The cause is under investigation.