An Altadena woman praised her friend and gardener for protecting her home from the Eaton Fire while she and her family evacuated to safety on Jan. 8, ABC 10 News reported.
Carla Saenz, a native of National City, has lived in Altadena since 2000. According to ABC10 News. The fire consumed her entire neighborhood, leaving her house as the only building on the street.
“I feel so bad for the people who lost everything and sacrificed to save their homes,” said Saenz, who now lives with her parents in National City.
Altadena woman recalls her home being the only one in the area to survive the fire https://t.co/rFLvBVfmTR
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) January 14, 2025
ABC 10 News reports that Saenz didn’t expect the flames to get so close to his property when the fire broke out Tuesday night. But her gardener, Santiago Martinez, quickly sprang into action. He lived in a small backyard behind Ms. Saenz’s home and immediately began soaking her residence with a garden hose. He hoped that by allowing water to seep into the exterior, he might be able to stop the oncoming fire. By Wednesday morning, the flames had become too intense and both men decided to evacuate. Saenz headed south, believing that Santiago would take shelter with his daughter. (Related: Report: Elite stars are secretly paying private firefighters big bucks to protect their homes)
Mr. Santiago returned to Mr. Saenz’s property where he had previously left. He spent hours spraying with water and getting the attention of firefighters, who poured protective foam into the house, the report said. “But instead of collecting things, he started watering again and went back to the roof,” Saenz said.
The main building remains, but Santiago’s back home was destroyed, along with the tools he relies on for his work, the newspaper reported. Saenz is determined to help rebuild, saying, “I’m so grateful to him. He’s definitely an angel that the Lord put in my path, and I truly believe that.” Ta.
The Eaton Fire killed 15 people and injured five firefighters. According to California fire data. The fire destroyed 2,722 structures and damaged 329 buildings, according to estimates released early Tuesday. The fire is still ongoing and approximately 35% contained, threatening an additional 39,428 structures. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
