Los Angeles, United States:
A tragic incident unfolded in Los Angeles as one of the victims of the devastating fires bravely tried to defend his home from the raging flames. The sister of Victor Shaw, one of the five people who lost their lives in the fires, recounted the heartbreaking moment when she had to leave him behind.
Despite firefighters’ warnings to evacuate, Victor Shaw chose to stay behind in Altadena and fight the encroaching fire, as told by his sister Shari Shaw to local broadcaster KTLA.
Shari, who lived with her brother, had to make the difficult decision to leave their family home while Victor insisted on staying to protect it.
“When I called out for him and he didn’t respond, I knew I had to escape as the embers were getting larger, resembling a firestorm,” Shari Shaw recalled.
She added, “Looking back, I saw the house engulfed in flames, and I had no choice but to flee.”
Al Tanner, a friend of Victor Shaw, discovered his body on the driveway of the charred property, still holding a garden hose, indicating his valiant efforts to save the home that held sentimental value for his family.
Reports suggest that Shaw’s body remains at the site due to the overwhelming demands on first responders caused by the widespread fires.
The ferocious winds have fueled the fires, causing widespread destruction in the Los Angeles area over the past two days, with firefighters facing immense challenges in containing the fast-moving blazes.
Thousands of acres of land have been scorched, with approximately 1,500 structures destroyed, and numerous injuries reported – many resulting from individuals disregarding evacuation warnings, according to authorities.
Authorities have issued evacuation orders for over 100,000 residents in the affected areas, urging prompt compliance with evacuation notices and expressing frustration towards those who choose to remain in harm’s way.
(This article is unaltered except for the headline, as it is sourced from a syndicated feed and has not been modified by NDTV staff.)
