A town of 27,000 people has been ‘pretty much destroyed’ by a raging wildfire that forced terrified residents to flee their homes clutching pets and babies and collapsing pillions fell across roads.

The northern California town of Paradise and the surrounding area of around 15 square miles has been hit by devastating blaze which was swept through the area by a dry wind.

Thousands of people fled the fast-moving wildfire which quickly spread out-of-control as mountain winds swept the flames through the community, engulfing homes and destroying businesses.

Some were clutching babies and pets as they abandoned vehicles and struck out on foot ahead of the flames that forced the evacuation of an entire town and destroyed hundreds of buildings.

Portions of southern California have also remained under siege by two large brush fires as some 75,000 homes have been placed under evacuation orders along the border of Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

Los Angeles Fire Department Public Information Officer Erik Scott says the blaze has destroyed or damaged many buildings.

A second fire has been burning in the Santa Rosa Valley east of Camarillo, west of Simi Valley near Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks.

By last night it had scorched up to 7,000 acres and sent residents of more than 1,200 homes fleeing, the Los Angeles Times reports.

A home burns as the Camp Fire moves through the area in Paradise, California, fueled by high winds and low humidity

A Jack In The Box fast food restaurant burns as the Camp fire tears through Paradise, north of Sacramento, California

Fire rages through neighborhoods as the Camp Fire burns out of control through Paradise, fueled by high winds. The nearby communities of Pulga, Paradise and Concow, have been ordered to evacuate the area

An American flag stands unburned at the corner of Pearson and Middle Libby roads in Paradise after the Camp Fire destroyed several homes in the area

Embers blow in the wind as a Camp Fire burns a KFC restaurant  in Paradise, California

Dogs roam burned out neighborhoods as the Camp fire tears through Paradise last night

This photo taken from video provided by CBS2/KCAL9 shows a wildfire burning in Camarillo. Known as the Hill fire, it here has crossed U.S. Highway 101, at center right, threatening hundreds of homes

A home burns as the Camp Fire rages through Paradise, California

An American flag waves in the wind as a home burns during the Camp fire in Paradise. More than 18,000 acres have been scorched in a matter of hours burning with it a hospital, a gas station and dozens of homes

Fire rages through neighborhoods as the Camp Fire burns out of control through Paradise. Fueled by high winds and low humidity, the rapidly spreading wildfire has ripped through the town

The Blackbear Diner burns as the Camp fire tears through the town of which little has been left standing…..more here