Valley Fire death toll grows to three

ANDERSON SPRINGS, Calif. (KTVU) --  The death toll from the Valley Fire grew to three early Thursday with the confirmation that the bodies of two male victims had been discovered.

The body of  72-year-old Barbara McWilliams was found in the ashes of her home the day after fire swept through. 

On Thursday, Lake County officials said two bodies -- possibly of  Bruce Beven Burns and Leonard Neft --  had also been recovered.

Cal Fire officials said the fire burning in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties had spread to 73,700 acres and was 35 percent contained.

In Middletown, Wednesday was the first time street lights and traffic signals were working as PG&E worked to restore power in the aftermath of the devastating wildfire.

Wednesday's rain was relief for crews battling this massive fire.

"After the fire, the rain is very welcomed," said Jackie Felber of Middletown.

The rainfall was heavy at times.

"This has really helped dampen those hotspots and enabling the crews to really get a good days work done to put a solid line around the containment perimeter," said Cal Fire spokesman David Shew.

But in the hills above Middletown, there was unwelcome news.

An officer with California State Park blocked the road near where a body was recovered Wednesday.

The area is not far from where  McWilliams died in the fire when she was unable to evacuate. It is also the area where Neft lived.

His wife says she last heard from him Saturday. His home was destroyed by the fire.

Neft was a onetime police beat reporter for the San Jose Mercury News.