[The Nelsons’ House is Gone
The Eaton Fire that swept through Altadena, California, has left a trail of destruction in its wake. The fire, one of California’s most destructive ever, has damaged or destroyed over 7,000 homes and businesses, leaving many residents wondering if their community can ever be restored.
Crystal Dedeaux and her 81-year-old mother, Virginia, were among the lucky few who managed to get back to their neighborhood to survey the damage. They had fled in a chaotic scramble as the winds and embers picked up, but Crystal had returned to take care of her mother, who was struggling to walk on her own.
As they drove through the neighborhood, they saw streets where not a single home remained standing. Only solitary chimneys and askew mailboxes survived to distinguish one property from another. The Dedeauxs’ own home, bought for $23,000 and worth an estimated $1.1 million before the fire, was reduced to rubble.
The family had never thought in a million years that their house would not be standing. Virginia, who had lived in the house for 55 years, said she felt lost and like she was in a dream. “I still smell the smoke,” she said.
Other residents, like contractor and community activist Rene Amy, were also struggling to come to terms with the devastation. Rene’s home, which he had lovingly nicknamed “The Forest” for its lush tree canopy, was now a jungle of scorched trunks, chicken wire, and tangled sheets of metal and beams.
Despite the overwhelming losses, Rene was determined that the community would not give up. “We will not be another Paradise, California,” he said. “We will not be one of those disaster zones that everybody talks about and does not come back. We will come back. I am absolutely dedicated to that.”
Rene was already rallying his community’s spirits, even as he searched for a new place to live. He helped plan the installation of a massive banner next to the city’s iconic “Greetings from Altadena” mural, which read: “ALTADENA STRONG — WE WILL REBUILD.”
For many residents, the road to recovery will be long and difficult. But with the support of their community and the generosity of strangers, they are determined to rebuild and make their neighborhood strong once again.
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