Homes Looted After Residents Evacuate Willow Fire Near Fresno
FRESNO (CBS SF) -- Some homeowners were hit with a nasty surprise when returning to the homes they were forced to evacuate due to the Willow Fire when they found their homes had been looted.
Residents found windows smashed, and thousands of dollars' worth of personal items taken when they returned to the homes in the Sierra National Forest area in Madera County near Fresno.
"We did everything that we're supposed to do, to leave this fire, and now we come home to this," homeowner Dan Norton said.
Police are searching for suspects in the thefts. Multiple homes were broken into during the evacuations.
"It's just heartbreaking to find that someone took advantage of them while they were out of their houses," Madera County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Tyson Pogue said.
Crews have gotten a handle on the fire that has been burning for nearly two weeks, and it is about 80-percent contained.
All evacuation orders have been lifted in the area.