(FOX40.COM) – What was once a historic Gold Rush town is now reduced to ash and rubble. The TCU September Lightning Complex Fire tore through Chinese Camp overnight, leaving a church, homes, and other historic sites and farmlands destroyed.

Among the few buildings left standing is the Chinese Camp Store & Tavern, a landmark that has been in the community since the 1930s.

The Beale Family, who have owned the store for eight years, returned Wednesday after evacuating to find their town nearly gone.

“I was at work when I heard about it, I was in Livermore,” said Richard Beale. “I got in my truck and drove as fast as I could within reason to get here.”

They were escorted by Tuolumne County Sheriff’s patrol units as they assessed their store and witnessed the surrounding destruction for the

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