Like the Eaton fire through the neighborhoods This week in Altadena, California, good Samaritans grabbed garden hoses, fire extinguishers and kitchen pots, pouring as much water as they could into homes in a desperate attempt to save them from raging flames.
Resident Ivan Perez told ABC News that despite the growing fires and intense emotions, everyone continues to support each other.
“The neighbors are taking care of their neighbors right now,” said Perez. “We’re doing everything we can here to save each other.”
David Muir anchors a special edition of “20/20” with ongoing coverage of the deadly wildfires in California. “American Catastrophe: LA Burning – A Special Edition of 20/20” premieres tonight at 9/8c on ABC.
People use garden hoses to protect their roof from embers near the Eaton Wildfire in Altadena, California, on January 8, 2025.
Caroline Brehman/epa-efe/shutter/CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/Shutter
The Eaton Fire has grown to nearly 14,000 acres as of Friday, only 3% contained. It is believed to have damaged or destroyed 7,000 structures, the most destructive in Los Angeles history.
At least 10 people are believed to be dead after multiple fires broke out in Los Angeles, and more than 150,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes, according to officials. Despite the catastrophic damage, all-round stress and poor air quality, many residents have stepped up to help each other.
On Holliston Avenue, community members filled trash cans with water to put out the flames. Their efforts prevented the flames from spreading further down the street.
When the Sunset Fire broke out Wednesday night, residents turned to amateur firefighters to protect their neighborhood.
Some good Samaritans took action in Hollywood when embers ignited a palm tree on top of someone’s house. As the homeowners had already evacuated, several neighbors asked the Ring camera for permission to climb onto the roof and prevent the flames from reaching the house.
Lisa Diaz hugs a neighbor outside their home as they walk through the Eaton Fire area on January 8, 2025 in Altadena, California.
Nic Coury/AP
Anthony Eichner Alvarez, 28, was one of 10 community members who helped, saying he also helped put out a balcony fire in the same area, where at one point he was only 25 feet from the walls of flames and embers.
“This (was) a new fire and there are no new firefighters on the scene,” Alvarez told ABC News. “Let me go and do my part. Try to do my best.”
Neighbors work together to put out palm trees on a roof during a wildfire in California
The dramatic moments were captured on KABC after a palm tree caught fire from a flying ember on Vista Street.
ABCNews.com
Without protective gear, the team was able to partially extinguish the palm inferno with a pair of garden hoses. The police asked the residents to leave, but not a single resident stopped working.
They entered when the fire department arrived 45 minutes later.
“You’re putting your needs aside for the needs of others,” Alvarez said. “Seeing a community come together in a time of need and put their differences aside really paid off.”
