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Friend Trying To Raise Funds For Pal Who Lost Home, 100 Animals In Hill Fire

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The Hill Fire damaged a couple of homes and scorched more than 1150 acres. Everything considered, it could have been a lot worse for many more people.

But try telling that to Bruce Schumacher. For him, it's unlikely the Hill fire could have been worse.

By now, you've probably heard the tally...but it doesn't quite sink in until you replay the numbers over. In this fire, he lost more than 100 of his beloved animals. Mostly goats and sheep but all kinds of animals...including birds and rabbits. He's trying to see some positive...a llama and bull he treasured are both alive. The llama, it appears, stood guard over about 35 sheep. The llama got burned but is expected to survive.

But the 66-year-old also lost his uninsured house, what was going to be his retirement home. He lost personal belongings, antiques, other vehicles, his tractor. In his retirement, a livestock business was what he was counting on to live on.

To help with his devastating losses, both personal and emotional, a good friend is stepping up to the plate to help Schumacher get through this ordeal.

Cheryl Wishaw is setting up a fund for him ... she says she will likely have all the bank information after Labor Day, but for now is eager to talk to others who might be able to help her friend. Her phone number is (909) 855-0625.

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