A Southern California family was devastated when the Eaton Fire left several members of the same family homeless.
Approximately 20 Williams family members lived within walking distance of each other, spread out over eight homes.
The Eaton Fire broke out on January 7 and quickly spread to nearby Pasadena and other areas, causing families to evacuate and prepare for the worst.
Ellen Williams said she saw her neighborhood quickly engulfed in flames during the chaos and went across the street to help her disabled neighbor.
The extended family grabbed their belongings, got into their cars and headed to safety, fearing what would happen next.
“When you go outside, it’s just dark and swirling,” Kim Williams recalled. “We drove very carefully because there was no light or electricity, but we knew it was bad.”
The Williams family is now homeless after the Eaton Fire destroyed eight homes belonging to several families. (KTLA) The Eaton Fire in Southern California on January 8, 2025 destroyed all eight homes owned by several members of the Williams family. (Williams Family) All eight homes owned by several members of the Williams family were destroyed by the Eaton Fire. A fire occurred in Southern California on January 8, 2025. Before and after photos of one of the burned down homes owned by a member of the Williams family. Before and after photos taken of one of the burned down homes owned by a member of the Williams family. Before and after photos taken of one of the burned down homes owned by a member of the Williams family. The Eaton Fire, which broke out in Southern California on January 8, 2025, destroyed all eight homes owned by members of the Williams family. (Williams family)
The fire spread through the area and was eventually extinguished, and the family was allowed to return to the neighborhood Thursday to assess the damage.
All eight of the family’s homes were completely destroyed by the fire, leaving only rubble and rubble, making their worst nightmare come true.
“It was really shocking to see the place I grew up in not being there anymore,” Brayden Williams said.
“It’s totally surreal,” Ellen Williams said. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever imagined, not only personally, but also for the community we’ve been involved in for over 50 years. It felt like we were at war. It was a property, but what remains is [metal] gate. “
The family remains devastated but is slowly trying to rebuild their lives. Everything they owned was gone, but they were almost relieved that no one was hurt or killed.
“We’re thankful that everyone got out safely,” Crystal Williams said. “I’m grateful that we can all be together and support each other.”
Here are several GoFundMe pages to help the family rebuild.
Rebuilding Williams Family Home Helping Brayden and Echelle start anew Our family lost everything in the Altadena, California fires
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