More than 30,000 California residents packed their children, pets and whatever essentials they could fit into their cars and evacuated their homes as deadly wildfires that killed at least five people ripped through the Pacific Palisades and nearby Altadena on Tuesday night. did.
They fled from an upscale neighborhood that appeared to be a war zone, taking photo albums and medical supplies and burning most of their belongings.
While taking shelter in hotels and evacuation centers, panicked residents awaited the fate of their homes, many of which burned down overnight.
Julie Ceselski was relaxing with her family in her Altadena home Tuesday night when she heard the sound of glass breaking in the bathroom.
She and her husband quickly investigated and found part of the roof blown off. Fearing strong winds, Tsesselsky took shelter in a hotel with his two children, ages 6 and 10.
“We didn't even know there was a fire,” she said. “We saw the flames as we were leaving, but they were miles away.”
Once settled in her hotel, Tsesselsky, a television editor, began hearing from her remaining neighbors who had heard the devastating news on Wednesday morning.
“A neighbor told me our entire street was gone,” she said. “Our schools, our pharmacies, our coffee shops, our gas stations.”
“I'm very upset. It's only been a few hours so it hasn't fully sunk in yet, but I'm very, very upset.”
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In nearby Palisades, Elizabeth Charniak saw the flames approaching and ultimately decided she and her brother, Rick Brissen, needed to head to a shelter. Police took them to the Westwood Recreation Center on Sepulveda Boulevard.
At the shelter, Chick-fil-A provided sandwiches and Starbucks provided coffee. The Red Cross examined elderly and sick refugees.
“They're doing a great job,” Cherniak said. “We appreciate their efforts.”
But she became emotional thinking about the huge loss in the community.
“I hate that life is getting harder and harder for me and for everyone. I hate that this is happening. It's devastating. Things will never be the same.”
Pasadena resident Eddie DeFerrari said he didn't have time to process the devastating loss after helping evacuate a senior center and checking nearby homes to make sure no one was stranded. he told the Post.
“I'm currently helping out in the fire protection area,” he explained. “Many houses are on fire. Altadena is burning hard.”
After fleeing the tragedy, Tsesselsky must decide what information to give to his children.
“They know there's a big fire, but they don't know that it hit our house.”
Zeselsky said the family plans to temporarily leave the Los Angeles area until air quality returns to normal for the children, but will continue to help rebuild Altadena, a close-knit community devastated by the fires. I'm thinking of doing it.
“This is a great neighborhood, lovely and quaint,” she said. “The people are great. Everyone who lives in Altadena loves Altadena.
“I'm worried that some of the sense of history will be lost, but the community will remain.”
