A British father who moved to the USA has lost everything after his home was destroyed in the California wildfires – and has recalled the ‘terrifying’ moment he and his family tried to outrun the blaze in their car.
Keith Durnford fled with his American wife Nicole, 40, and four-year-old son Dylan when houses just yards away from their own were torn apart by flames.
The 57-year-old, who moved to Santa Rosa in northern California from Southampton, Hants, in 2000, woke in the early hours of Monday morning when smoke began to fill his home.
Keith Durnford lost everything after his home was destroyed in the California wildfires. Pictured left to right: Keith, Dylan and Nicole Durnford
He encouraged his family to jump into their car and he began to race away from the flames, as houses close to theirs caught fire. But when they returned, their property had burnt to the ground.
The family were soon caught in traffic, with hundreds of others desperately fleeing the deadly wildfire, until Mr Durnford turned the car down a side street.
Mr Durnford said: ‘It was terrifying. My wife woke me up and we could smell smoke in the air but initially there was nothing about it on the TV or on the radio about the fire.
‘We went back to sleep but when we woke around 1.30am, we could see the fire outside.
Mr Durnford encouraged his family to jump into their car and he began to race away from the flames, as houses close to theirs caught fire. But when they returned, their property had burnt to the ground. Pictured: The fire approaching the Durnford family home
When the family returned, their house had burned to the ground. Pictured: The Durnford family home before the fire
‘A house just four doors down was on fire. We immediately grabbed our son and headed straight for the car.’
At least 23 people have been killed as a result of the wildfires so far, with more than 20,000 people in the northern California area forced to flee their homes to evacuation centres.
Mr Durnford, who works as a supply chain manager at a local hospital, headed for a nearby hotel and the family were fortunately able to book the last available room.
He said his £415,000 home has been completely destroyed by the fire and he has lost hundreds of irreplaceable belongings – and also recalled the heartbreaking moment his son asked ‘have we lost our home?’
Mr Durnford said: ‘We have nothing – absolutely nothing. Everything we worked our lives for is gone.
‘We tried not to talk about the situation in front of our son, but he saw it on television and said ‘have we lost our home?’
Tragic: At least 23 people have been killed as a result of the wildfires so far, with more than 20,000 people in the northern California area forced to flee their homes to evacuation centres
‘What do you say to a four-year-old when he asks you something like that?
‘We’re still paying the mortgage off, so that will bankrupt us because the insurance won’t cover us.
‘I’ve lost hundreds of films, thousands of vinyl singles and my beloved signed Southampton football shirt.
‘The worst thing is, I tried to grab some of Dylan’s toys but I forgot his favourite one.
‘He thinks his toy is dead and I feel responsible for that. He will never see that toy again.’
Friends and other family members have sought to help the family via a JustGiving page set up by Mr Durnford’s best friend, Keith Seymour.
The page has already raised more than $3,100 (£2,350) to help the family get back on their feet and is looking to raise $5,000 (£3,777).
Mr Seymour said: ‘Imagine leaving your home and this happens.
‘I can’t imagine what this must feel like, but hopefully we can help get them through this.’
You can donate to their JustGiving page here.