An Altadena man who lost everything in the Eaton Fire said he is grateful to be alive after he and his loved ones fled the relentless forest fires.
Brizona Craft, who lived near the 900 block of Beverly Way, said she was notified of the evacuation order around 3:45 a.m. Wednesday and initially ignored calls to leave.
“I’ve lived in California for 30 years and I’m used to experiencing tragedies, so I just lie there, you know? But I took it for granted…” he said.
Kraft’s home was on Lake Avenue, which was destroyed by Wednesday’s wildfire. The fire swept through the community, destroying several homes and businesses in the fire’s path.
Craft said he and his family were evacuating their home when they saw the flames about a half-block away. At the time, he said he thought his home was safe because the fire had not reached the west side of Lake Avenue. But when he returned to the area about five hours later, he saw everything up in flames.
The Green family remained behind to keep the fire away from their home and protect Altadena’s 110-year-old Christmas Tree Lane.
“The house was completely engulfed in flames and the villa behind it was gone. The car was gone. The trailer was gone,” said the Altadena resident. “Everything was gone, but I didn’t take it seriously. I was like, ‘Okay, it’s going to be okay,’ so I couldn’t grab onto anything.” ”
One firefighter told NBC4 his crews are short on physical strength and are asking them to focus on getting the public to safety.
“The problem is, it’s everywhere,” Kraft said. “There’s nothing they can do. All they can really do is kick people out, and that’s what I was told. They’re just kicking people out.”
As of Wednesday evening, five people had died in the Eaton Fire. While some Altadena residents are struggling with the loss, Kraft said her community feels grateful.
“I think most people are in some kind of shock, just in shock, and I think they’re accepting some kind of shock,” he said. “You accept it, you understand it, and you’re just happy to be alive.”
Lolita Lopez speaks with the women who lost everything in the Eaton fire.
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