Los Angeles County in the US has been battling devastating wildfires for the last five days. At least 11 people are killed and thousands of structures, including homes, commercial buildings and vehicles, are damaged or destroyed. While the fire that ravaged celebrity neighborhoods near Malibu has captured the world’s attention, a similar-sized fire in Eaton Canyon, north of Los Angeles, has devastated Altadena, where rows of neat bungalows once stood. But as the embers cooled, some residents whose homes were destroyed in the fire returned to see what was left.
according to BBCMany Altadena residents found small things that brought smiles to their faces amid hellish hardships. Six-year-old Henry Giles was one of them. When the little boy returned to his home in Altadena with his parents, he found a bucket and a toy lawn mower that survived the inferno. “Mom, look, they survived! We hid them in the bushes because we knew there would be a fire!” he shouted excitedly, according to the outlet.
Another man, 52-year-old Larry Wilkes, was also able to find some items, including a wedding gift from 25 years ago. She said she found a Christmas ornament, a Dr. Suess book and something that almost made her cry.
“We found a dish and a bowl that are part of a dish set that my great aunt gave us on our wedding day. It lasted 24 years. We’ve been together for 29 years and we got married four years later, and It’s been 24 years. That bowl and that plate, believe it or not,” he said. BBC,
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Even though not much was saved from the fire, some other residents were able to find small things that are even more special to them now. Daron Anderson said he found a vase with white and blue flowers left together in the pile of debris. “I know my mom would love it,” he said, “It’s small, but it’s something.”
Another woman examined burnt coins to find two beads belonging to her mother’s necklace, while her neighbor managed to find an electric saw and an ancient hand tool.
LA wildfire will be costliest US disaster
Meanwhile, as firefighters continue to battle the Eaton Fire, its destruction has taken a toll on the Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre communities. At least 7,000 structures were damaged or destroyed in the area, CBS News Informed. Don Fregulia, operations section chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said crews have made good progress on some parts of the fire, while other areas are still very active.
The devastating Los Angeles wildfires are poised to become one of the costliest natural disasters in US history, with estimated losses already exceeding $135 billion. According to preliminary estimates from private forecaster AccuWeather, total losses could reach $150 billion, making it one of the costliest wildfires the country has ever seen.
