The relentless wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles have claimed at least 11 lives – including that of 67-year-old great-grandfather Anthony Mitchell and his son, Justin.
Mitchell, a retired salesman and amputee who used a wheelchair, lived in Altadena with his bedridden son, Justin, who had cerebral palsy.
According to Mitchell’s daughter, Hajime White, her father called her on Wednesday morning to inform her of the escalating danger. “He said, ‘Baby, I’m just letting you know the fire’s broken out, and we’re going to have to evacuate,'” she recalled to the Washington Post. “Then he said, ‘I’ve gotta go—the fire’s in the yard.'”
Tragically, Mitchell and his son were unable to evacuate in time. White explained that her father had been waiting for an ambulance, as no caregivers were available to assist.
White has since revealed that authorities told her that her father’s body was found at the side of Justin’s bed, AP reported.
Adding to the family’s distress, Mitchell’s other son, Jordan, who also lived with them, was hospitalized with an infection at the time.
The loss has left the family devastated. “It’s like a ton of bricks just fell on me,” White expressed.
She fondly remembered her father’s affectionate nature, noting that he had nicknames for everyone: “He had nicknames for everybody: Strawberry Shortcake, Marshmallow, Bug. He just went on and on.” Mitchell leaves behind four children, 11 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
The wildfires have wreaked havoc across Los Angeles, destroying over 10,000 structures and displacing thousands of residents. Firefighters continue to battle the blazes, with the two largest—the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire—at 6% and 0% containment, respectively.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley emphasized the ongoing threat: “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.”
The community mourns the loss of residents like Anthony and Justin Mitchell, whose lives were tragically cut short by the devastating fires.
The Fires Rage On
The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have already claimed at least 11 lives, with estimates suggesting that more than 10,000 homes and structures have been reduced to ashes, with entire neighborhoods left in ruins, per BBC News.
The evacuation order has been expanded as officials intensify efforts to contain the relentless Palisades Fire, which has been burning since Tuesday. Thousands of residents have fled their homes as firefighters continue to battle the blaze under challenging conditions.
President Joe Biden has described the unfolding disaster in Los Angeles as a “war scene,” cautioning that the death toll is “likely” to rise as authorities assess the full extent of the damage.
Adding to the tragic outlook, forecasts of strong winds threaten to fan the flames further, prompting fears of even more widespread devastation. A red flag warning, signaling critical fire conditions, remains in effect across the region over the weekend.
Currently, at least six fires are raging across the area. The most recent, dubbed the Archer Fire, erupted on Friday and remains uncontrolled, further straining already stretched firefighting resources.
