Amputee father killed in LA wildfires after staying behind to wait for his disabled son
A 67-year-old father has been killed in the LA wildfires after staying behind to wait for his son with cerebral palsy.
According to Los Angeles fire officials, at least ten people have confirmed to have been killed as a result of the wildfires, with five of the victims having died in the Eaton fire, CBS reports.
Retired salesman Anthony Mitchell lived in the California county of Altadena with his son, Justin, who was in his early 20s and bedridden from cerebral palsy, according to daughter Hajime White.
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She told The Washington Post that she'd spoken to her father on Wednesday morning (8 January).
"He said, ‘Baby, I’m just letting you know the fire’s broke out, and we’re going to have to evacuate'," she recounted on Thursday (9 January).
"Then he said, ‘I’ve gotta go — the fire’s in the yard.’"
White claims her father, who used a wheelchair, was waiting for an ambulance because none of the caregivers were available.
His other son, Jordan, lives with the pair, but was in hospital with an infection.
“It’s like a ton of bricks just fell on me,” White told the outlet. She said that Mitchell will leave behind 11 grandkids and 10 great-grandchildren.
“He had nicknames for everybody: Strawberry Shortcake, Marshmallow, Bug. He just went on and on.” she added.
So far, the fires have burned more than 10,000 homes, taking out whole neighbourhoods in the process.
No cause has been identified for the largest fires.
Los Angeles Fire Department chief Kristin Crowley told a press conference: "We are not out of danger. You can see the active fires that are burning with strong winds that are going to continue throughout the night.
"I can tell you and assure you that firefighters and first responders remain focused on protecting lives and property. We urge the public to help us."
As well as regular civilians, many celebrities' homes have also been destroyed by the blaze, including Paris Hilton.
After sharing a video of the ruins of her Malibu home, the businesswoman wrote on Instagram: "I'm standing here in what used to be our home, and the heartbreak is truly indescribable.
"When I first saw the news, I was in complete shock - I couldn't process it. But now, standing here and seeing it with my own eyes, it feels like my heart has shattered into a million pieces.
"This house wasn't just a place to live - it was where we dreamed, laughed, and created the most beautiful memories as a family.
"It was where [son] Phoenix's little hands made art that I'll cherish forever, where love and life filled every corner. To see it reduced to ashes... it's devastating beyond words.
"What breaks my heart even more is knowing that this isn't just my story. So many people have lost everything. It's not just walls and roofs - it's the memories that made those houses homes. It's the photos, the keepsakes, the irreplaceable pieces of our lives."
Topics: US News, World News
Anish Vij