Paradise man's 10-hour fight against the Camp Fire

Bill Roth had been homeless once, and he wasn't going to let the Camp Fire take away his house. To save it, he had to face hell itself.
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[@mraidymaddful]

Everytime I see something about Paradise I sit here crying my eyes out for those people and what they lost that awful day last year. With all the money in America you would have thought money would be more readily available for rebuilding etc. God bless this chap for having the resilience to stand and fight what must been an absolute nightmare, particularly watching the fate of those two dogs. A a dog owner myself I can't imagine having to live with those thoughts, you are indeed a true hero my friend. I send you my thoughts and prayers from across the pond and the hope that when rebuilt, Paradise can be paradise again. Peace and Love......

[@SpXPtwn]

Well said, British friend, well said 👏🏼🤙🏼 be sure to send us more good vibes this time as well. - An Oregonian ✌🏼

[@davepowell1661]

Dominion 2018

[@ironmaven1760]

He blasted Beethoven while he slayed the beast that was fire...AND protected 2 lil squirrels!.....what a man!

[@christinemonnot4776]

He built a walk wayfor the squirrels on his fence he's friends with them and he feeds them nuts and stuff its cute to see when I visit him he's my uncle btw

[@dazedgenius6849]

This man is so inspirational. Fight hard for what you have and never let anyone tell you no or it can't be done

[@WillaHerrera]

Great job Bill. I was stuck in traffic that morning. I cry when I let myself think about that day. I'm so so sorry about your dogs. I know you tried your best to help them. My 79 year old mother gave up in the fire until my sister yelled at her on the phone to get in her car and drive. We grew up in Paradise, it's June 2020 and I still can hardly go up the hill. I hope you're doing well Bill.

[@SpXPtwn]

They were his neighbor's dogs, but yes, still very tragic. Very sorry to hear that.

[@xziztortheeternal6471]

WHOAH-WOW! Should do a docu/movie on this guy! My kinda guy! AWESOME!!!!

[@shawn-zx9xt]

"10 hours in hell" im already in line. What a story.

[@amerie1987]

There was another 73-year-old who saved his whole ranch house with two shovels. There will be many remarkable stories coming out of these tragic events.

[@shineisland7447]

This is it. 😉

[@shawn-zx9xt]

Billy bob thorton in "10 hours in hell" coming to theaters near you.

[@ironmaven1760]

Oh DAMN you are spot on!! Lol!! Explains how he kicked that fire's ass!!

[@belindafalgout1675]

🤣🤣🤣

[@PrincessJaz13]

A really wonderfull man, his story and the weight of his words are so touching.

[@PeachyTeafy]

It is tragic that those poor dogs left behind did not make it, but you have to imagine how insanely fast this fire spread. Some people go to work early in the morning, many work outside of Paradise itself and were simply not able to make it back into town. Without knowing a fire was coming for the town, how could they have prepared for that? The school teachers who had to help their students escape, they were not able to go to their homes to grab anything at all; they were responsible for the lives of children. I'm sure some of those teachers had pets too. It is incredibly sad, but to blindly place blame on people in a situation like this ... you don't know the whole story.

[@charlottecessante1761]

Bless this man!!! Wonderful his home was safe. I wish he had been able to save the neighbors dogs, but he saved the squirrels. It is horrible that the dogs were left behind!!!! Why would they do that to their dogs!?

[@MsArtistwannabe]

Charlotte Cessante , not everyone was home when fire started and could not get back to retrieve their animals. Also, when scared many animals will bolt making it impossible to catch and take to safety.

[@notmyrealname3167]

Likely they were at work and were never able to make it home

[@Madronaxyz]

@@MsArtistwannabe those dogs were locked in a kennel. He couldn't get the gate off. The fire happened early in the morning so most people were home which is one thing that made it so hard to evacuate paradise. Unfortunately we see this too often in fires where people just totally forget about their animals and leave. Sometimes they forget about their kids! That's why everybody needs to have a disaster plan and to practice it.

[@Madronaxyz]

@@notmyrealname3167 the fire happened very early in the morning. There's not any large factories around paradise. Really the only business that has night shift is the hospital

[@stigludwigsen]

@@Madronaxyz When a crisis hits, that's when people show who they really are. Selfish people with low compassion will expose themselves for what they are at such events.

[@Readzboox]

God I would read this mans book if he chose to write one. He has a way with words and its a great story of survival and the human spirit

[@yotarocket]

You know there's a light that glows by the front door Don't forget the key's under the mat When childhood stars shine, Always stay humble and kind Go to church 'cause your mamma says to Visit grandpa every chance that you can It won't be wasted time Always stay humble and kind Hold the door, say "please", say "thank you" Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie I know you got mountains to climb But always stay humble and kind When the dreams you're dreamin' come to you When the work you put in is realized Let yourself feel the pride But always stay humble and kind Don't expect a free ride from no one Don't hold a grudge or a chip and here's why: Bitterness keeps you from flyin' Always stay humble and kind Know the difference between sleeping with someone And sleeping with someone you love "I love you" ain't no pick-up line So always stay humble and kind Hold the door, say "please", say "thank you" Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie I know you got mountains to climb But always stay humble and kind When those dreams you're dreamin' come to you When the work you put in is realized Let yourself feel the pride But always stay humble and kind When it's hot, eat a root beer popsicle Shut off the AC and roll the windows down Let that summer sun shine Always stay humble and kind Don't take for granted the love this life gives you When you get where you're going don't forget turn back around And help the next one in line Always stay humble and kind

[@carolclmcm1214]

He seems very strong but I worry about him seeing the destruction and reliving those memories every time he leaves his house, looks out a window, breathes the lingering smell of smoke. God bless him.

[@christinemonnot4776]

He's fine he even plans on helping his neighbors rebuild the plots of land for them. He's my uncle and my family is oh so proud of him

[@paulanilsson4423]

Brave person, determination paid off for you. Thank God you made it.

[@elizabethm7090]

"Music speaks when words fail". God speaks to us through music. God Bless this man.

[@divercity1lovemedianetwork]

May God Bless You And Your Family , you are strong in heart , a brave warrior for your family . . . God Can Use You For His Purpose , amazing story . . . I thank God someone live to tell there story of survival . . .

[@cathy5070]

Thank you for all you did. Blessings...

[@rotzfrosch0970]

He is severely injured on his cheeks by the fire. Glad he survived!

[@randybost7472]

Glad you did so much!!!

[@Elleylaluna]

Poor dogs :(

[@davepowell1661]

Dominion 2018

[@ColleenScatena69]

My god what an amazing story

[@mariatorres4736]

God bless you hope you are safe wish you the best going foward happy holidays

[@Skidoo22]

I love this Beethoven story!!!

[@lenardosbornsjustice5948]

Looks like scenes from fallout... anybody else think the same thing?

[@deborahparker1731]

My heart just aches for you people that have been through this, I can't even imagine, and being the animal lover that I am How absolutely horrifying. So happy that you were able to save your home and yourself. I live in Sacramento and the smoke was Unbelievable. The whole Ordeal is unbelievable. I wish I had comforting words that would make a difference but I have no words for such a tragedy, I guess what I could say is I wish for the day that you all get even just a little relief from the pain and sarrow that your going through. God Bless

[@AriessunvirgomoonlightLibraise]

It's literally like 10am when he filmed that 😢

[@edropper2732]

This story is epic in so many ways

[@breathedeepnow1]

It is killing me how many people did not take their pets. But at least if they felt they must leave them, why didn`t they at least set them free to fend for themselves instead of burn up in the home, or cages into the yard, or pen, or pasture.

[@michaelh.8280]

Because humans think of themselves first. Kinda like the story of the woman who left her mother behind in a panic.

[@juliesaunders4436]

Or those people could have left for work in the morning before they knew about the fire, and then were unable to go home to get their pets. Don't be so quick to judge.

[@davepowell1661]

Dominion 2018

[@KieraCameron514]

@@juliesaunders4436 Well said, Julie.

[@chicofrijoles]

Man vs. Nature, what a frightening battle, and you did it!

[@anewblu6916]

This man is a legend!

[@AriessunvirgomoonlightLibraise]

I wish he filmed himself up there, I know he put in a good show moving an blasting Beethoven & savin animals , luv & protection is what life should be for all living things💯😌✊🏼

[@moomoo4310]

Just curious as to why people don’t surround their homes with a cement pavement about 10 feet wide like a road since it appears fire doesn’t burn the roads

[@dazedgenius6849]

Look in some of the areas that burnt. Hardly any trees yet every house is gone.

[@AlaskaB83]

It's the blowing embers that start structures on fire. 10 feet of cement wont stop that

[@pebblepod30]

The house catches on fire from the blowing embers. But a quite tall rammed earth wall** fence around the property would protect it a lot. **The ramming machine can be bought for 15-17k or so, or hired with the molds I think.

[@autojohn-pu1vf]

it appears fire doesn't burn trees, leaves, or pine needles either.

[@NaYawkr]

No Reports of Looters. Musta been a secluded land of honest people.

[@karlyost4732]

Please read your Bible Jesus Christ said that men's ❤️ hearts will fail them for the things that are coming apon the whole earth read Matthew 24 all of it and then John 3 16 then revaluation allso and read Daniel allso amen

[@qaiser648]

No

[@belindafalgout1675]

He had time to put on headphones!?!

[@bfenolet3016]

I want that book please!

[@coolguy467]

Bill Roth the giga chad

[@ogdocvato]

Hero.

[@laopang91362]

He is my hero !

[@michaelh.8280]

Lord..this man sacrificed for creation. Let me carry his pain. Amen.

[@shineisland7447]

Taking bets on how fast he's charged or fined or worse for water use violation. 😠

[@timwainz]

did he burn his face and hand or is that from before

[@christinemonnot4776]

He burned him self by the fire when he tried to get the dogs

[@mickster655]

Dry interview. 1 Guy? No neighbors?

[@cynthianorman44]

❤️🙏❤️

[@silverrain8532]

😢😢😢

[@cynthianorman44]

❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️

[@AM1999]

His neighbors died

[@deannabell3277]

MY O'NE.....PRAYING is really needed.........The PARADISE CALIFORNIA COUNTRY FIRES WAS BADLY BURNED AWAY INCLUDING OTHER DESTRUCTION AND MOVIES STARS ALWAYS complaining about leaderships of PRESIDENT TRUMP. ......SO it would be good for HOLLYWOOD get into working by helping hand in rebuilding all AREA around and growth to restore wild life on the lost disappeared EARTH of PARADISES in CALIFORNIA. ......

[@trurtleshark6342]

That's life buddy .

[@trurtleshark6342]

Btw sir I wish you the best.

[@humblegeorge]

a Mirricle weather I can spell it or not ! Thank you Lord Jesus for Saving this man and his house and two Squirrels.

[@todbenjamin7081]

Farrrrrrk

[@NaYawkr]

Millions of Dead Babies from abortion and we mourn the buildings ? That explains a lot.

[@wms72]

@@BFD990 Seek help. Seek God.+

[@BFD990]

wms72 Think for yourself caveman. My eyes are wide open. Pray for yourself and see if you can avoid being killed in a road rage accident.

[@nala3038]

Hey your meds are now ready at the pharmacy!

[@davepowell1661]

Dominion 2018

[@reneenapier8669]

Over 80 people died in this fire