A disabled father and his son with cerebral palsy, a former Australian child star, and an 85-year-old woman who refused to abandon her pets have at least died in a devastating wildfire that swept through Southern California. Were among 24 people.
Here are some of the victims who died in the fire:
Anthony and Justin Mitchell
Anthony Mitchell, a disabled man who used a wheelchair, and his adult son Justin, who suffered from cerebral palsy, died together in their Altadena home. Mr Mitchell last spoke to his daughter on the morning of the fire and explained in detail the evacuation plan. However, both are later found dead near Justin’s bed. “He was not going to leave his son behind. No problem,’” the daughter told The NY Post.
Annette Rosilli
Seventy-five-year-old Annette Rosilli insisted on living in her Pacific Palisades home with her dog, Greetley; his canary, Pepper; two parrots; And a turtle. Despite appeals from her caregivers and neighbors, Ms. Rosilli chose to stay behind.
Victor Shaw
Victor Shaw, 66, refused to vacate his Altadena home, where he had lived for more than 50 years. Using a garden hose, he tried to extinguish the raging flames of the Eaton Fire, but died of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Mr Shaw’s sister Shari was evacuated on Tuesday night but could not convince him to leave.
Arlene Kelly
Longtime L.A. resident Arlene Kelly decided to stay in her Altadena home of more than 40 years, telling her family, “It’s in God’s hands.”
rodney nickerson
Longtime Altadena resident Rodney Nickerson talked to his son as the flames approached their home. “Son, the winds are blowing very bad,” he said in their last conversation, according to CNN. Mr. Nickerson’s close-knit neighborhood, where he has lived for more than 50 years, is nearly destroyed by fire.
Rory Callum Sykes
Rory Callum Sykes, a former child actor who was born with cerebral palsy, died at his family’s Malibu estate during the Palisades Fire. The 32-year-old, who is known for his motivational speeches and philanthropy, was at his cottage in the Mount Malibu estate when the fire broke out. His mother tried to fight the fire but was unable to save her son. “He said, ‘Mummy, leave me,’ and no mother can leave her child,” her mother shared in an interview with Australia’s 10 News First. “And I have a broken arm, I can’t lift it, I can’t move it.”
Randall Miod
Randy Miod, 55, spent decades living in his Malibu beach house, affectionately known as ‘The Crab Shack’. Known for his open-door hospitality and love of surfing, Mr Miod refused to leave his home as the flames came closer. He believed he could protect it, as he had done in a previous fire, but he died. “He was a magnet for people,” his mother said. “And people just loved him, and he loved people.”
Eight of the 24 victims died linked to the Palisades fire near the Southern California coast, while the remaining 16 died from the Eaton fire in the foothills east of Los Angeles. Officials have warned that the death toll may increase.
