First Middletown businesses reopen after Valley Fire

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. (KTVU) -- A few businesses in Middletown have reopened for the first time since the devastating Valley Fire as residents begin the long struggle to return to normal life after the disaster.

The owners say it is a gathering spot for the community and they want it to be that again.

"It's a breath of fresh air that we still have our business," said Christi Cantilla, who has worked at the store for nine years. While the store is open for business, it is not business as usual.

"We went from a town that used to be bustling ...a bunch of people . a school across the street to nothing. It's heartbreaking for me," said Cancilla.

Employees miss their regular customers. One worker KTVU spoke with was grieving for Leonard Neft.

"I miss him so much," said Khalida Wukawitz.

The Lake County Sheriff's Department has now tentatively identified the 69-year-old Neft as one of the three people killed in the fire.

"Truly my heart is broken. That's the truth. I just loved him so much. He helped me so much," said Wukawitz, who said Neft was a personal friend and a store customer.

There is heartbreak for so many. including the family and friends of 65 year old Bruce Beven Burns, who helped run his family's recycling plant. He lived and worked there.

His brother tells KTVU Burns body was discovered behind the shop. He was known affectionately as "Uncle Brucey."

"A big teddy bear. He was just a nice guy," said friend Denise Erickson.

The first victim found, 72-year-old Barbara McWilliams, lived in the Anderson Springs area.

On Thursday evening, KTVU drove up a narrow winding road near her home. 

The devastation is haunting. The Lake County Sheriff  said there may be two more casualties somewhere in the path of the fire.
 
"We have a team of human remains detection dogs on the ground where our officers and deputies and firefighting personnel are seeing things that are indicative of people who may not have made it. We're focusing our searches there," said Sheriff Brian Martin.

In the meantime, the battle against the fire goes on . Cal Fire says the danger of hotspots flaring up is far from over.

"All its going to take is higher temperatures -- which we're expecting this coming weekend -- to spark those oak trees up. We could be off to the races again, just like we were last weekend," Cal Fire Captain Richard Cordova.

Back at Store 24, cashier Christi Cancilla says she still hasn't heard from some relatives and friends.

"I miss them. l'm afraid that I'm never going to see them again," she said.

Many people who spoke with KTVU say they have mixed emotions; grief over what was lost, but gratitude that they survive.