CNS –
A man has been identified as the unfortunate victim of the Southern California wildfires who tragically died defending his Altadena home from the oncoming flames.
According to ABC, the victim’s sister confirmed that 66-year-old Victor Shaw’s body was discovered outside his home. Tragically, the garden hose he had been holding was still in his hand, suggesting that he had made frantic attempts to preserve the house where he had grown up.
Sister Shari Shaw broke down in tears as she remarked, “I can’t imagine what he might have been thinking, how he might have been so frightened.” He died young. But I was unable to come here and save him. That’s the worst part.
According to reports, Mr. Shaw had resided in the family house since 1965 and had difficulty escaping the raging fire due to mobility limitations caused by his health problems.
The Eaton Fire, which started in the Altadena foothills on Tuesday and quickly expanded to over 13,000 acres due to the strong Santa Ana winds, broke out on Wednesday. There has been damage to the destruction of thousands of houses and businesses, according to authorities.
Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated as thousands of firemen fight the interminable flames. At least five deaths have been confirmed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the dismal assumption is that the number of casualties will increase as cadaver dogs start searching for more victims.
As firefighters battle the blaze and evaluate the damage, the exact scope of the devastation is still unknown.