Couple first to move into home in wildfire-damaged county

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A Northern California couple has received the first permit to move into a prefabricated home placed on property destroyed by a devastating wildfire six months ago.

Butte County officials announced Friday that Kathy and Richard Towne received a certificate of occupancy for their one-story home on Ishi Drive in Magalia. It’s unclear whether they have moved in because the couple declined to be interviewed.

The Townes weren’t the first to receive a building permit after the Nov. 8 fire destroyed 14,000 homes in Paradise and neighboring towns.

However, officials say they’re the first to finalize their permit because their home was completed off-site and transported to their property.

The county has issued 20 building permits and Paradise issued another 65, signaling more activity in the rebuilding effort.