• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Amputee father killed in LA wildfires after staying behind to wait for his disabled son

Home> News> US News

Updated 09:22 16 Jan 2025 GMTPublished 18:31 10 Jan 2025 GMT

Amputee father killed in LA wildfires after staying behind to wait for his disabled son

The LA wildfires have been confirmed to have killed at least ten people

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

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.

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).

Advert

"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.

Anthony Mitchell has died in the LA wildfires, his daughter confirmed (Family handout/CBS)
Anthony Mitchell has died in the LA wildfires, his daughter confirmed (Family handout/CBS)

“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.

Advert

“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."

Advert

As well as regular civilians, many celebrities' homes have also been destroyed by the blaze, including Paris Hilton.

Paris Hilton is one of many to have lost their home (Instagram/@parishilton)
Paris Hilton is one of many to have lost their home (Instagram/@parishilton)

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.

Advert

"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."

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Hajime White/Apu Gomes/Getty Images

Topics: US News, World News

Anish Vij
Anish Vij

Anish is a Journalist at LADbible Group and is a GG2 Young Journalist of the Year 2025. He has a Master's degree in Multimedia Journalism and a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management. Apart from that, his life revolves around the ‘Four F’s’ - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

X

@Anish_Vij

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Pet owner returns to his home after LA wildfires and is left in tears at what he discovers
  • People in tears over homeowner’s heartbreaking request to reporter amid catastrophic LA wildfires
  • What we know about how LA wildfires started as neighbourhoods destroyed with 180,000 evacuated and 10 dead
  • Paris Hilton shares devastating aftermath of LA wildfire as she returns to home she watched burn down on live TV

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Four early-warning patterns to detect Alzheimer's as disease 'doesn't strike at random'

    Researchers say they've found the 'roadways' that lead to Alzheimer's disease

    News
  • an hour ago

    Woman issues stark warning over taking common supplement after testing positive on drugs test

    The single mum was hoping for a better night's sleep

    News
  • an hour ago

    How to keep pet dogs safe in heatwaves as UK temperatures soar

    As Brits bask in soaring temperatures, it's important to keep our furry friends safe

    News
  • 3 hours ago

    Killer who brutally decapitated his dad and put it on YouTube explained why he did it

    Justin Mohn admitted to killing his dad but claims it wasn't murder

    News