the Wildfires sweep through Los Angeles County At least 10 people were killed on Friday as details emerged about the victims, including one who was found holding a garden hose in his hand as he tried to defend his family home of more than 50 years.
Victor Shaw, 66 years old He was identified by KTLA As one of the deaths resulting from the devastating Eaton Fire centered around the city of Pasadena. Victor said he wanted to stay Tuesday night to try to fight the fire, but a family friend said his body was discovered the next day on the side of the road with a hose, his sister Shari told the station.
“They just told me that he was on the ground, and that he looked calm, like he was at peace,” Shari Shaw told KTLA.
The five active wildfires in Los Angeles County broke out on Friday — the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Kenneth Fire, Hurst Fire and Lydia Fire. So far I've burned more More than 30,000 acres combined, according to Cal Fire.
LIVE UPDATES: Los Angeles County wildfires leave a trail of devastation
Shane Torry, left, and Stephanie Rodriguez embrace as they look at what's left of their home destroyed by the Eaton Fire on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Altadena, California. (AP/John Lusher)
The agency says the largest blaze — the Palisades Fire — has scorched nearly 20,000 acres and is only 6% contained. Across the county, more than 10,000 homes and businesses were burned.
the Los Angeles Police Department Police arrested a man on Thursday for allegedly “trying to start a fire” as bushfires continue to ravage the area.
The government has not yet published figures on the cost of the damage.
A firefighter communicates in front of the advancing Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles on Thursday, January 9. (AP/Ethan Swope)
At present, it is impossible to determine the extent of the devastation otherwise “Destruction and total losses” Barbara Bruderlin, president of the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, told The Associated Press.
“There are areas where everything is gone, and there's not even a piece of wood left, it's just dirt,” Bruderlin said.
Entire clusters of homes were seen burning in the Pacific Palisades section of Los Angeles on Thursday, January 9. (AP/Mark J. Terrill)
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office said Thursday night that it had “received notification of 10 deaths due to the fires.” At least five were reported from the Eaton Fire and two from the Palisades Fire.
Malibu man forms fire brigade in area, says Newsom should bring back controlled burns
Two of those killed in Altadena were Anthony Mitchell, a 67-year-old amputee, and his son Justin, who had cerebral palsy. They were waiting for an ambulance to arrive and had not reached safety when the fire caught fire, Mitchell's daughter, Hajime White, said. He told the Washington Post.
Rodney Nickerson, an 83-year-old grandfather, was also found dead in Altadena. According to CBS News.
Fire crews battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles on Thursday, January 9. (AP/Ethan Swope)
“We found his bones, and his whole body was intact,” his daughter, Kimiko, told the station, which reported that Nickerson was discovered in his bed among the rubble and ash.
Another victim was identified by The New York Times as Erlene Kelly, a retired pharmacy technician who reportedly lived near Shaw and Nickerson.
Nancy Belanger pours water on a neighbor's fire-ravaged property following the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday, January 9. (AP/JC Hong)
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“She was an angel,” neighbor Terry Pepperon said He told the newspaper. “This is the perfect neighbor. When you see her, you smile.”
Elizabeth Pritchett of Fox News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
