400 homes destroyed in Californian wildfires

Some 400 homes were among the hundreds of structures destroyed as fast-moving wildfires raged through communities in northern California, leaving at least one person dead and sending residents fleeing along roads where some buildings and vehicles were still in flames.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection confirmed one fatality in the wildfire north of San Francisco that raced through dry brush and exploded in size within hours.

In addition to the homes, officials also counted two apartment complexes and 10 businesses destroyed by the flames, department spokeswoman Lynn Valentine said.