Rob Roth remembers covering Oakland Hills fire of '91

It's now been 25 years since the one of the worst fire disasters in US history.

Twenty-five people were killed and 150 others were hurt. Nearly 3,500 homes were incinerated in the 1991 Oakland-Berkeley Hills firestorm.

At 5:30 p.m. Thursday a ceremony will be held to remember the victims of the firestorm.

It will be held at the Gateway Emergency Preparedness Exhibit Center on Tunnel Road in the Oakland Hills.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, and fire survivors, will speak during the ceremony.

KTVU's Rob Roth covered that fire when it happened 25 years ago.

At one point he and his photographer were trapped by the flames when they were led to safety by an Oakland Fire chief. Sadly Battalion Chief James Riley didn't make it out of the fire alive.

Rob Roth was unable to attend Riley's funeral because his daughter was born the same day. He is forever grateful for Riley’s courage that day.