A Los Angeles Fire Department captain is being hailed as a hero who, along with his brother and son, saved a neighborhood home from the Eaton Fire.
Capt. Dan Levens was fighting the Hearst Fire near Sylmar when the Eaton Fire’s flames began burning toward his home in Altadena.
After being relieved of duty that day, Liebense enlisted the help of his brother, who is also an LAFD firefighter, and the three of them, along with Liebense’s son, stayed in the neighborhood to prevent the fire from spreading further to the house.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Dan Liebense worked with his brother and son to save 14 homes in the Altadena area from the Eaton Fire. (KTLA) Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Dan Levens and his brother used an ax to cut away part of the burning roof of a nearby pool house to prevent the flames from spreading. (The Levens Family) Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Dan Levens, along with his brother and son, helped save 14 homes in the Altadena area from the Eaton Fire. (Levense Family) Houses near Altadena burned in the Eaton Fire. (KTLA) Homes near Altadena burned in the Eaton Fire. (KTLA) The house across the street from Dan Levens’ home remained intact in the Eaton Fire. (KTLA)
Liebense secured hundreds of yards worth of hoseline from the nearby Los Angeles County Fire Department and connected it to a fire hydrant on his street.
The trio stayed awake for more than 48 hours fighting the fire, determined to save as many homes as possible.
“It’s great to save money, but I always ask myself, ‘Could I have done more?'” Liebense said. “I’m proud that we were able to save it, and the neighbors are also very grateful. We were almost able to maintain it. [the flames] They took shelter in their backyards, saving about 14 homes on the block. ”
Liebense said he could not have accomplished this feat without the help of his brother and son.
“I’m glad my brother and son were here so we could make plans,” he said. “It was reassuring to see how much protection we could provide with just three people and a fire hydrant.”
Liebense said his oldest son plans to follow in his footsteps and pursue a career as a firefighter.
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