A Southern California woman was overjoyed after firefighters found her wedding ring in the rubble of her home destroyed in the Eaton Fire.
Victoria DeSantis, her husband Marco DeSantis, and their two children have lived in their Altadena home in the 3200 block of Olive Street for 18 years.
They recalled the fear they felt as fast-spreading fires threatened thousands of homes and forced many to flee for safety.
Firefighters find Victoria DeSantis and her wedding ring after her home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire. Victoria DeSantis cried tears of joy when firefighters found her wedding ring after her home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire. (DeSantis House) The DeSantis House was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. (DeSantis Family) Victoria and Marco DeSantis share their story with KTLA on January 14, 2025. (KTLA) Victoria and Marco DeSantis are pictured with their two children. (GoFundMe) DeSantis’ family home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire. (KTLA) DeSantis’ family home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire. (KTLA) DeSantis’ family home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire. (KTLA)
Around 3 a.m., we were alerted and quickly began packing, grabbing as many important items as we could think of.
Victoria had taken off her wedding ring that day because her hands were dry and the lotion she was using was causing it to slip off. So she left her wedding ring and band by the front door, along with her mother’s wedding ring, and made a mental note to pick it up before leaving.
Amidst the confusion and scuffle, the pair left the house, but soon after Victoria realized she had forgotten her ring. However, she did not worry too much at first, believing that the house was safe.
“You’re holding out hope that you can be this little home, and you don’t want this little home to go away,” she said.
But the next day, when she returned to the property and saw nothing but rubble and charred remains where her house once stood, she was heartbroken.
She began searching the rubble, hoping to find the ring. She found an engagement ring that had melted in the fire. She then asked a nearby firefighter to help her find her wedding ring.
“One of them said, ‘I found a ring, but it’s not gold.’ It was my wedding ring,” she said of her incredible find. However, he found my wedding ring intact. ”
The photo that was discovered showed Victoria crying tears of joy as she held up her silver wedding ring.
“Shout out to CAL FIRE Riverside,” Marco said. “Thank you for saving our marriage.”
Although the couple lost everything in their home, they were thankful that no one was injured and said they would take it one day at a time and rebuild their lives. We also appreciate the outpouring of support from our community.
“There’s an old saying that says, ‘If you’re going to go through hell, keep going,’ and I think that’s where we are right now. We’re going through hell, but we’re going to hold on to this wedding ring.” That’s who we are,” Marco said. We will continue to do so. ”
CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department posted this lucky find on their Instagram page, writing, “It’s the little moments like this that bring hope to a dire situation. We are doing everything in our power to help LA County.” I’m proud of the firefighters.”
A GoFundMe page to support the DeSantis family can be found here.
