A news reporter has shared heartbreaking news while covering the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
The devastating wildfires have wreaked havoc on Los Angeles since igniting on Tuesday (January 7) morning.
Five major blazes – identified as Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire, Kenneth Fire, and Lidia Fire – have collectively scorched the city, leaving more than 10,000 homes in ruins and forcing nearly 180,000 residents to flee.
Firefighters are battling against peak dryness and hurricane-force winds, which have fueled the inferno.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Department has disclosed that at least 11 people have lost their lives. Five of those deaths were due to the Palisades fire, and the other six resulted from the Eaton fire.
Pacific Palisades and Malibu, known for their A-list residents and multimillion-dollar mansions, have been hit particularly hard.
ABC’s Matt Gutman revealed during an emotional live broadcast on The View that his aunt’s home in the affluent neighborhood is among the thousands destroyed in the catastrophic blaze.
Standing outside a house reduced to little more than ash and rubble, the reporter said: “I can feel the heat emanating from this house, which happens to be my aunt’s house.”
He revealed that his relative – who thankfully was not home when the fire tore through the area – had lost everything.
Watch the interview below:The news anchor, who resides in Los Angeles, described the deeply personal impact this horrific event has had on him.
He shared that his own LA home was threatened by fires raging just 300 yards away, but fortunately, firefighters were able to extinguish the flames before they caused any damage to his property.
“My kids were afraid,” he said, recalling the moment. “I, like many hundreds of thousands of other people, told my family, ‘We have to get a go bag ready right now. We have to have it prepared by the door because you really don’t know at this point.’”
“Like so many people in this part of LA, I know multiple people who lost their homes in this fire,” Gutman added.
The reporter said that his aunt, who lived just off Sunset Boulevard, is struggling in the aftermath of the fire, which has taken an emotional toll on their family. “It’s hard for the family,” he shared.
He then warned viewers that the danger is far from over, pointing out how the fires, which have left neighborhoods unrecognizable, will continue to burn underground and at the bases of trees, which can pose ongoing risks.
While wildfires are not uncommon in the region, the current blazes engulfing much of the megalopolis are considered among the worst in Southern California’s history, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported.
In just three days, the fires have consumed an area nearly twice the size of Manhattan, per The Guardian.
President Joe Biden announced this week that the federal government would pay for 100% of the fire response cost for 180 days.
“It’s going to pay for things like debris and heavy material removal, temporary shelters, first responders, salaries, and all necessary measures to protect life and property,” he said, adding that he has told California governor Gavin Newsom and local officials to “spare no expense to do what they need to do” to fight the fires.
For now, our thoughts go out to every single person impacted by this tragedy.
