At least 10 people were killed Friday in wildfires raging in Los Angeles County, and details of the victims are emerging. That includes a man who was reportedly found clutching a garden hose in his hand in an attempt to protect the family home he had lived in for more than 50 years.
Victor Shaw, 66 years old; identified by KTLA as one of those killed in the devastating Eaton Fire, which centered on the city of Pasadena. Victor's sister, Shari, told police that Victor wanted to stay behind Tuesday night to help put out the fire, but a family friend said his body was found on the side of the road with a hose the next day. It is said that
“All they said was that he was lying on the ground and looked calm, like he was at peace,” Shari Shaw told KTLA.
Five wildfires that broke out in Los Angeles County on Friday – the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Kenneth Fire, Hearst Fire and Lydia Fire – have burned a total of more than 30,000 acres so far, according to Cal Fire.
Live updates: Los Angeles County wildfires leave a trail of destruction
Shane Torre (left) and Stephanie Rodriguez embrace as they look over the remains of their home destroyed by the Eaton Fire on Thursday, January 9, 2025 in Altadena, California. (AP/John Locher)
The largest fire, the Palisades, has burned nearly 20,000 acres and is only 6% contained, the agency said. More than 10,000 homes and businesses were burned across the county.
of Los Angeles Police Department As wildfires continue to cause devastation, authorities arrested a man on Thursday on suspicion of “attempting to start a fire.”
The government has not yet released figures on the amount of damage.
Firefighters communicate in front of the advancing Kenneth Fire in the West Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 9. (AP/Ethan Swope)
Barbara Bruderlin, president of the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, told The Associated Press that it is impossible to quantify the extent of the destruction other than “total devastation and loss” at this point.
“In some areas, everything is gone, there's not even a piece of wood left, it's just dirt,” Bruderlin said.
On Thursday, January 9th, an entire block of homes is seen burned in Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighborhood. (AP/Mark J. Terrill)
The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office announced Thursday night that it had been “notified of 10 fire-related deaths.” At least five fires have been reported in the Eaton Fire and two in the Palisades Fire.
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Two of the people killed in Altadena were Anthony Mitchell, a 67-year-old amputee, and his son Justin, who had cerebral palsy. Mitchell's daughter, Hajime White, was waiting for an ambulance to arrive but was unable to make it as the flames roared through. He told the Washington Post.
His 83-year-old grandfather, Rodney Nickerson, was also found dead in Altadena. According to CBS News.
Firefighters battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 9. (AP/Ethan Swope)
Nickerson's daughter, Kimiko, told the station that Nickerson was found in bed among the rubble and ashes, saying, “We found bones. His whole body was intact.”
The New York Times identified another victim as Arlene Kelly, a former pharmacy technician who allegedly lived near Shaw and Nickerson.
Nancy Belanger pours water on a nearby fire-ravaged property in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday, January 9. (AP/Jae C. Hong)
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“She was an angel,'' said neighbor Terry Pyburn. he told the newspaper. “She's the perfect neighbor. I smile when I see her.”
FOX News' Elizabeth Pritchett and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
