A 67-year-old man named Anthony Mitchell, who had lost a leg, and his son Justin, who had cerebral palsy, sadly lost their lives in the wildfires in Los Angeles. Anthony, who used a wheelchair, chose to stay and protect his son instead of escaping. His daughter, Hajime White, said, “He was not going to leave his son behind, no matter what.” They were found in Altadena after they couldn’t get away from the fire.
So far, the fires have taken at least 10 lives, and officials are worried that the number might go up as they continue to identify the victims. The LA medical examiner mentioned that they are using dental records and DNA because of how badly the bodies were damaged. Sheriff Robert Luna pointed out that emergency crews are facing difficulties because of ongoing small fires and gas leaks.
Victor Shaw, who was 66 years old, was one of the people who lost their lives while trying to protect his family home that he had lived in for 55 years. His sister, Shari, remembered begging him to leave. “When I went back inside and called for him, he didn’t answer, and I had to escape on my own.” In a similar situation, 82-year-old Rodney Nickerson also died because he decided to stay in his home in Altadena, thinking the fire would go away.
The wildfires have burned more than 34,000 acres, making them the worst in Los Angeles history. Many famous people, like Anthony Hopkins and Paris Hilton, have lost their houses too. As the search efforts continue, officials are asking everyone to be patient, with the sheriff stating, “It will take time to fully understand the extent of the damage.”