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Mother Searching For 16-Year-Old Son Josiah Williams After Bear Fire Wipes Out Berry Creek Community

BERRY CREEK (CBS13) — The small community of Berry Creek is now wiped out by a wildfire, in an eerie scene that's become all too common in California.

Devastation in Berry Creek

This wildfire has also turned deadly. The Butte County Sheriff's Office announcing three bodies have been discovered. None have been identified. There are also a dozen missing people.

READ MORE: 3 Killed As Bear Fire Explodes In Butte County

Jessica Williams reported her 16-year-old son missing. She spoke to CBS13 from Indiana, where she is working to locate her son Josiah Williams.

"He's smart, he's a good kid, he's athletic," Williams said.

Josiah was last seen in Berry Creek. His car was found unscathed and a search of hospitals has turned up nothing. Jessica is praying it's a miscommunication.

"I can't get a hold of him, nobody can find him," she said.

READ: Elk Grove Man Killed In 11-Vehicle Crash On Interstate 5 Near Florin Road

First responders used a Berry Creek fire station as a triage for dozens of people fleeing the wildfire -- several suffering burns as they made their escape.

"I would say most of them were running for their lives," Cal Fire Captain Specialist Matthew Palade said. "You know, some of the people we encountered last night, they were sleeping. We woke people up."

Families of the missing are now holding onto hope for a miracle.

"Josiah, I love you please call me. Let mom know where you're at," Jessica Williams said.

As of Thursday morning, Josiah's mother says he remains missing. She is currently booking a flight to come to California as soon as possible.

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