Stormed that secure room on the hill, that testimony surrounding ukraine, arguing its behind closed doors. Tonight, those who now point out its because of rules put in place by the republicans. The fbi involved tonight. The mother and her tearful plea late today for the safe return of her 14yearold daughter. The difficult video tonight. The deputy directing traffic at school, struck by a driver. She is okay. And what the driver has now admitted he was doing. Christmas alre the major retailer launching holiday sales at midnight tonight. And remembering a giant. The republican who spoke of his dear friend, congressman elijah cummings, saying perhaps this country would be better served with a few more unexpected friendships. Good evening and its great to have you with us here on a thursday night. And we begin tonight with the breaking news. A new wildfire erupting at this hour just north of los angeles. Hundreds of firefighters now fighting flames across california tonight. A desperate scene already in the north. This is Sonoma County. Families there forced to evacuate in the middle of the night as the kincaid fire has already burned homes and buildings, scorching 10,000 acres. One woman trying to fight back with a garden hose. And all day today, firefighters putting out flames in buildings that were already destroyed. The winds are picking up now. Another very tense night ahead. And abcs will reeve leads us off from california tonight. Reporter tonight, california is a tinderbox. The tick fire breaking out near santa clarita, north of los angeles, engulfing structures amid extremely critical fire conditions. Our matt gutman on the scene. This fire is completely driven by the wind right now. You can see its blowing from behind my head up that hill. Reporter this, as firefighters in Northern California desperately try to get the upper hand on a massive, out of control wildfire. Trees are going up like kindling here, the embers coming in every direction. No matter where you are, you have to be wary of the wind, because it can change at any second. The kincaid fire in Sonoma County igniting just before 9 30 p. M. Wednesday. Ferocious winds gusting above 75 Miles Per Hour fueling the infernos spread. We just cant keep ahead of it. So, weve had to were almost just chasing it and trying to get ahead of it constantly throughout this whole night. Reporter firefighters driving through tunnels of flames, fire engulfing both sides of the road. Residents fighting the flames with hoses. All of geyserville is under mandatory evacuation. Reporter an entire town told to get out. Today, evacuees like healdsburgs tom cardoza hoping their homes are still there. They were really get out now. Reporter the Utility Company here proactively shut off power to nearly 180,000 customers. That move did not prevent this fire from starting. Flames now threatening transmission lines. Fire personnel here racing to put out these flames before it climbs up the hillside and reaches the trees, spreading the blaze even further. And a Rapid Response to the muir fire in marin county, just north of san francisco. David, you can see what its already done. This structure here still burning in the foothills. The wind in Northern California is expected to die down tonight into tomorrow, giving firefighters a chance. But winds critically dangerous in Southern California and here, theyre gearing up for another major wind event this weekend into monday. David . Some difficult days ahead for sure. Will, thank you. And as we follow the fires, we are also monitoring a major winter storm at this hour. Snow and dangerous rain from texas all the way up through the ohio valley. Look at this tonight. Drivers stranded in deep snow. This is i70. These images from evergreen, colorado. So, lets get right to meteorologist rob marciano, tracking that winter storm and those dangerous winds fueling the fires in california tonight. Hey, rob. Reporter hi, david. As well mention, we do have another shot of wind coming and lets break down whats going on tonight. Still have red flag warnings up for Northern California. But they will die down. High Wind Warnings up for so cal. Its getting really dicey there with new fires breaking out. Extreme fire conditions, l. A. , ntura county mountains with gusts over 60 miles an hour. And then tomorrow, maybe shifting a little farther south, but still gusty all day long from l. A. All the way down to san diego. What spawned this is that snowstorm across parts of texas. Now diving south into southeast texas. Going to tap into a tropical disturbance in the gulf that will bring heavy rain to houston, up the mississippi during the day tomorrow and into the ohio river valley during the day on saturday, as the next round of wind builds into california saturday afternoon. David . All right, a busy weather night across the country. Rob, thank you. In the meantime, to the other news tonight, and the troubling discovery in a suburban neighborhood in south carolina. A home inspector discovering several children under the age of 10, some locked in rooms. And tonight, authorities now say seven children in all. There have been arrests. And heres abcs steve osunsami. Reporter seven children, all under 10 years old, are in state custody tonight after authorities in suburban charleston, south carolina, removed them from this, what police are calling deplorable conditions. Rooms with feces on the floor and children locked behind doors with deadbolts. Police say they were alerted by a home inspector who found two children, ages 3 and 5, locked in a room alone. It was discovered that the home was in deplorable conditions. Feces, animal feces, human feces, trash. Reporter police say that one family was renting the home, but was subletting the garage and the second floor bedrooms to two other families. There were deadbolts on every door. A total of 12 people were living in the house. 22yearold Erick Perez Viera and 26yearold diana salbon are charged with five counts of unlawful conduct towards children. They kept their five children in one bedroom that police say was the filthiest. There is no indication that this is a Human Trafficking situation. Reporter the families here were poor, and theres no word tonight that the children were abused. David . All right, steve, thank you. And next tonight, newly released surveillance raising questions about the Deadly Police shooting of an unarmed teenager in california. The video shows the 16yearold being shot from behind while running from officers. What those officers can be heard saying. The teens family is outraged tonight. And heres abcs kayna whitworth. Reporter tonight, outrage over new video showing a fresno, california, Police Officer shooting and killing an unarmed 16yearold. This is the moment in 2017 when a Police Officer questions isiah murriettagolding. Down on your reporter he then flees, jumping this fence to a daycare. One officer taking aim. Hitting him in the back of the head. A fellow officer complimenting his aim. Good shot. Reporter police say murriettagolding and his brother were pulled over on suspicion of a homicide that happened the day before. Also alleging the teen reached for his waistband several times, and that the officer involved feared for his life. But police finding no weapon. An independent review by the city stating, an officer making a splitsecond decision would be justified in using deadly force. Muriettagoldings brother eventually pleaded guilty to that homicide. But murriettagoldings family has filed a lawsuit. This young man was trying to run away. And you can be as critical as you want about how you shouldnt do that, but that doesnt give the police the right to use lethal force. Reporter and david, that independent review did have ten policy recommendations, including putting bodyworn cameras on more officers and outfitting them with less lethal weapons in addition to their guns. David . Kayna whitworth from california. Thank you. And next tonight, the california congresswoman under fire, a firstterm representative considered a rising star now facing a house ethics investigation, accused of a sexual relationship with a member of her own staff. All of this coming during a bitter divorce now breaking into the public eye. And heres abcs linsey davis. Reporter she was a rising star in the democratic party. My name is katie hill and im running for congress here in californias 25th district. Reporter a firstterm congresswoman already making her mark. He asked you to say that . Yes, maam. Reporter but tonight, katie hill is facing some tough questions of her own. The House Ethics Committee is investigating allegations that the congresswoman engaged in a sexual relationship with an individual on her congressional staff, her legislative affairs director, graham kelly. A violation of house rules. In a letter to constituents, hill calls the allegations false. But hill, who is the first openly bisexual member of congress, admits she did engage in a consensual relationship with someone else, a woman on her campaign staff. Hill is now apologizing for that, acknowledging that it was inappropriate. Hill and her husband allowed vice cameras to follow her run for office, a documentary called inside the most Millennial Campaign ever. There have been times that ive wanted to quit. This is a hard thing. Reporter the couple now in the middle of a nasty divorce. Hill accuses her husband of leaking nude pictures of her and the campaign staffer, saying hes determined to try to humiliate me. Congresswoman hill says that she has alerted the capitol police. Now, she tells her constituents distributing intimate photos with the intent to publish them is a crime. Meanwhile, the investigation into her own alleged misconduct is just beginning, david. All right, linsey davis, thank you. Next, to the impeachment showdown. President trump today cheering on those republicans who stormed that secure room on capitol hill, that testimony involving ukraine. They say theyre outraged it is taking place behind closed doors. But tonight, those who point out its behind closed doors because of rules set up by republicans. Heres terry moran. Reporter President Trump today praising those Republican House members who barged into the closeddoor impeachment hearing yesterday, disrupting it for hours. Were going to go and see if we can get inside. Reporter the president today tweeting, thank you to House Republicans for being tough, smart and understanding in detail the greatest witch hunt in american history. But some of trumps closest allies are increasingly frustrated with what they see as a chaotic white house defense, saying President Trump should take a page from bill clintons impeachment playbook. What he did is he had a team that was organized. President clinton defended himself, but he never stopped being president. And as he governed during impeachment, i think that was probably the single best thing he did. Reporter still, senator Lindsey Graham echoing a key talking point, blasting the democrats closeddoor impeachment proceedings. So, what do you say to the argument that 47 of your Republican House colleagues who serve on these committees, they have the right to be in there . I would say that if we pulled this stunt, youd be eating us alive. 47 Republican House members feel like its not working for them. Reporter but in both the nixon and clinton impeachments, closeddoor hearings were held. And even on the president s favorite fox news show this morning, a defense of the impeachment inquiry. They are consistent with the rules. When were the rules written last . In january of 2015. And who signed them . John boehner. And who enacted them . A republican majority. Reporter and democrats have made clear they will hold public hearings, probably sometime next month. There will be a few more weeks of those closeddoor hearings where republicans are present and can question witnesses. And then the impeachment inquiry will go public and the American People can decide on the evidence. David . Terry moran on the hill for us tonight. Terry, thank you. We turn overseas tonight, as our team goes inside chechnya, where the totalitarian regime is a close ally of vladimir putin. Tonight, amid reports of violent purges of members of the Lgbtq Community and of human rights activists, abcs James Longman traveling there, and this evening, his questions for the head of the countrys Notorious Police force. Reporter after reports of whats described as a purge of lgbt people in chechnya, we traveled there. Its been called a police state, a place fiercely loyal to vladimir putin. There are reports of hundreds of gay men and women allegedly kidnapped, tortured and abused at the hands of the chechen government. Amin escaped the country. He was working as a hairdresser when he says police yanked him from his salon and threw him in prison, where he says he was beaten and electrocuted over 14 days. That guy charged his gun and put me right here on my head. Reporter what was going through your mind in that moment . I dont know. Something died. Reporter despite a global outcry in 2017, fresh victims have continued to come forward. Do people recognize you in the street . We met general apti alaudinov, head of the police force accused of rounding up and torturing hundreds of lgbt people, allegations he flatly denies. Reporter what do we know about this place . I dont know. Reporter he takes us to see a chechen prison. Reporter so, thats what you would say to human rights campaigners who say that these men and men like them are responsible for atrocities . Ive reported around the world as a gay man, but in chechnya, ive kept it to myself, until now. What if i told you that i was gay . At first, the general seemed taken aback. Reporter and tonight, growing questions and concerns, how to protect the Lgbt Community and other human rights activists allegedly targeted by the chechen government. As we said, david, amin made it out of the country, but victims and Rights Groups say abuses are still going on. And those who have fled are terrified that they could be tracked down. David . James longman tonight. James, thank you. And we will have much more of james reporting from inside chechnya on a special edition of nightline, thats later tonight. Meantime, to the other news and in washington today, members of congress put aside their differences to honor the late representative elijah cummings. Cummings flagdraped coffin was carried into statuary hall. The first africanamerican lawmaker to lie in honor there. His casket resting on the same catafalque that held the remains of abraham lincoln. And today, one of the most emotional tributes to the democratic congressman was from his republican colleague and close friend, congressman mark meadows. For me, i was privileged enough to be able to call him a dear friend. Some have classified it as an unexpected friendship, but for those of us that know elijah, its not unexpected or surprising. Perhaps this place and this country would be better served with a few more unexpected friendships. I know ive been blessed by one. Powerful words today. Former president s obama and clinton and secretary Hillary Clinton will be among those speaking at cummings funeral tomorrow. There is still much more ahead on world news tonight this thursday. The missing teenager. The fbi now involved tonight, and the mother and her tearful plea late today for the safe return of her 14yearold daughter. We warn you, this video is difficult tonight, but the deputy is okay. Struck there while directing traffic at school. And tonight, what the driver has now admitted he was doing when this happened. You dont need me to tell you, its not even halloween, but tonight, the major retailer launching christmas sales at midnight. They explain why. And tonight, it includes 100 off some of those fancy tvs. A lot more news ahead. Ill be right back. 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The fbi says he may be armed and potentially dangerous. A National Manhunt now under way with Police Searching for a silver blue Toyota Matrix that lynch may be driving, like this one his with virginia license plate vem9071. Our abc affiliate wric reporting that he is known by the family. The Small Town Community of louisa county, virginia, horrified. As a new mom myself, like, i cant help but get choked up about that. Reporter hicks family praying she can somehow get word to them. Please just let us know if youre safe, however you can. Reporter authorities are asking for help in finding the pair, but urging caution, saying contact law enforcement, but do not approach the suspect. David . All right, pierre, thank you. When we come back here tonight, that deputy struck directing traffic at school. And what the driver has admitted now that he was doing. And news about former president jimmy carter tonight fall. His second fall. Fall. One of the windiest places in america. 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The deputy struck while directing traffic at school in south carolina. Shes okay. Deputy Chelsea Cockrell was hit by that distracted driver, who later admitted he was looking at his cell phone. The deputy later flashing a thumbs up, shes going to be okay. Shes there at the hospital. To your money tonight and christmas sales already. Walmart launching online holiday sales at midnight tonight, a week before halloween. Deals on toys, clothes, 100 off a 55inch tv. Retailers say there are fewer shopping days between thanksgiving and christmas this year, which is why theyre starting early. And former president jimmy carter out of the hospital tonight. The 95yearold returning home after falling and breaking his pelvis earlier this week. It was his second fall this month, but he sure is a fighter. Of course, we are glad he is home tonight. When we come back here, if youve ever been down, ever needed a pep talk you have to hear this. And im not kidding. [narrator] do you remember that day . 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Do not take jardiance if you are on dialysis or have severe kidney problems. Taking jardiance with a sulfonylurea or insulin may cause low blood sugar. Lower a1c and lower risk of a fatal heart attack . On it. With jardiance. Ask your doctor about jardiance. The type 2 diabetes pill thats on it. Learn more at jardiance. Com finally to finally tonight, america strong. We decided here in the newsroom we might just have found a new team captain. 10yearold lane bridges from rising star, texas. Hes a rising star himself. A cornerback for the youth football team, the mavericks. And right before their very first game, lane giving his team a pep talk. I see all these little guys, i see all these big guys. Reporter hes just a fifth grader, but he sure knows how to fire up his team. Have passion be determined beat this team. Be a maverick and when we get on that field, lets show them how to be a maverick. Reporter this little leader of the mavericks telling his team they can do anything. Lets show them. Lets show them that we can beat them on their home field, on our home field, we can beat them anywhere. We could go to new england, for goodness sake, play in the snow and still beat them. Reporter his team won, 60. His motivating message seen by millions. And lane sending me this motivation before the news. Mr. David, people are counting on you. Theyre counting on you to be the best newsman you can be. No pressure, but you can do it. Because i know you can. So go so go show the American People the best news anchor theyve ever seen in their entire life. Go get em. Reporter lane bridges, number eight, rallying his team and this team, too. Thank you, lane. You go get em, too. And i hope to see you right back here tomorrow night. Good night. Control in Sonoma County causing people to evacuate. Grab your keys and your dog and go. Your life flashing before your eyes. Good evening. Thanks for joining us. Im dan ashley. And im dion lim. The kincai fire in geyserville has burned 10,000 acres since sparking last night. Homes have been lost. We just dont know how many yet. We dont. Were waiting to get that information. Were is a look from sky 7 with the technology that can pinpoint exactly what youre looking at. Geyser road and some of the other areas around geyserville in Sonoma County, highway 128 is in that area as well. The fire lines actually jumped over highway 128. You see pine flat road, circle 8 lane. Now in the meantime, we are learning new details about how the kincaid fire may have begun, and pg e is right in the thick of it. Abc7 news iteam uncovered an incident report sent to the cpuc this morning. The utility confirms one of its transmission towers near the ignition point experienced an outage at 9 20 p. M. Last night. A report says the line relayed and did not reclose. Minutes later, a fire was reported in that area. The report also says that a cal fire employee found what appeared to be a broken piece of equipment on pg es tower. According to pg es website, the tower was in an area under a Public Safety power shutoff. These pg e blackouts. But the website reports that power did not happen until nearly 30 minutes after the fire started. Now pg e just held a News Conference and addressed that, confirming that the power line was not deenergized. Iteam reporter melorheostosani joins us there live. Melanie . Lets talk a little bit more about this broken piece of equipment, a broken