An ABC News reporter has opened up about his heartbreak after his “dream home” was reduced to rubble in a horrific fire that ripped through the city of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles-based correspondent Zoreen Shah spent just one night with her husband in their new “magical” home before the devastating Palisades Fire scorched every inch of their picturesque property.
“I lost my house in the fire. It's a complete loss,” Shah said. wrote on Instagram Photos of the damage and snapshots of the house when it was better are also posted.
Shah and her husband Rishi closed on the property less than a month ago and were in the process of moving when the fire broke out last week.
“I have told Rishi many times that I can't believe this sanctuary is ours. We spent one night there. One thing only,” she wrote, calling the “perfect” property He added that it took him six years to find it.
“It was magical. We dreamed of retiring in the same home. It's only 5 minutes from PCH, but it felt like another planet.”
Shah said his parents had never owned a home, which made the purchase even more special.
Shah also revealed that he has close access to California's wildlife right from his backyard.
“Deer walked up to the house, the birdsong sounded like a tropical island, and the ocean views were a California dream,” she wrote.
“We had peach, nectarine, lemon and avocado trees, as well as small enclosures for lettuce and strawberries that were safe from wildlife.”
“But it was so much more than that. It was the culmination of Rishi's six-year search for the perfect coastal home. He found it in November and we closed on Christmas Eve. I did,” she added.
“I cook most of my meals at home, I don't have kids yet, and I don't travel for fun, so over the years I've been able to save up enough money for a 20% down payment. ” she continued. “I was so proud of it. And just like that, after years of working and saving, it was gone.”
“I have to be honest. As much as I am determined to rebuild with Rishi, I am also very sad. I know we are very lucky. We are safe,” she wrote, adding that she was still “terrified” that the fire was not completely extinguished.
“I'm determined to find answers. This journey is personal. People who saw me on TV or on TikTok saw their dream home reduced to rubble and decided to build it again. I want you to know that I see people struggling with this,” she concluded her post.
As of Wednesday, the Pacific Palisades Fire had burned more than 23,700 acres and was only 18% contained. cal fire.
