Washington:

US President Joe Biden said Thursday that the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles were the worst in California history, as he pledged additional federal funds and resources to help the state.

“This is the most widespread, destructive fire in the history of California,” Biden said as he convened a special meeting of top administration officials at the White House.

He said people in Los Angeles were “living a nightmare” and hailed the firefighters as “heroes” who he said were rushing to battle the flames.

The outgoing president canceled a planned visit to Rome on Thursday to stay in Washington and coordinate the US government’s response to the attack, which has left at least five people dead.

He said that the federal government will cover 100 percent of the disaster response costs for the first 180 days at the request of California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.

Biden said he was sending 400 federal firefighters and 30 firefighting planes and helicopters to Los Angeles, while the Pentagon would send eight large planes and 500 wildfire-fighting personnel.

Vice President and former presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who is from California, called the fire “apocalyptic.”

He also highlighted what he said were insurance companies canceling coverage for families who lost property in the fire.

Biden, meanwhile, sought to refute incoming President Donald Trump’s claims that a lack of water was causing firefighters to struggle to put out the blaze.

Biden said the problem stems from a power outage — when utility companies cut power amid fears that damaged power lines could spark more fires — that took the water pump offline.

Trump, who will be inaugurated for his second term on January 20, has used the fire to launch political attacks on Biden and Newsom.

(Other than the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Los Angeles Fire(T)Joe Biden(T)Los Angeles Fires in California



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