Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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October 26, 2007

4 Bodies Found in Fire-Ravaged Area in Southern California
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1A060C6:A6F02AD83191E160721D2926B2BDBDDD9574F7DCC14957C0 Badly burned bodies
of three men and one woman found Thursday east of San Diego
Authorities in California say they have discovered the bodies of four
people near the U.S.-Mexico border where one of several raging
wildfires broke out earlier this week.

The badly burned bodies of three men and one woman were found Thursday
east of the southern city of San Diego. Authorities believe the
victims were illegal immigrants who were overcome by flames as they
tried to cross the border.

Also Thursday, the bodies of a man and woman were found in a home in
the San Diego area. At least five other people died during
evacuations.

The fires in southern California have destroyed more than 161,000
hectares and nearly 2,000 homes across seven counties.







President Bush (l) followed by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger,
walks through a burned-out home during a tour of damage done by
wildfires in San Diego, 24 Oct 2007President Bush toured the area
Thursday with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and pledged
that federal money will be made available to those who lost their
homes.

Officials say the cost of the damage will likely be more than $1
billion, much of it in hard-hit San Diego.

President Bush declared the fires a "major disaster" on Wednesday, a
move that makes federal emergency funds available to the affected
areas.

The hot, gusty winds and high temperatures that fueled the fires have
receded, allowing firefighters to gain the advantage in beating back
and extinguishing the flames.

At least one fire has been declared an arson. The governor's office
and two federal agencies have promised a $150,000 reward for
information leading to the person who set a blaze known as the
Santiago fire.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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