LA Fires Take a Double Toll: Amputee Father and Son’s Heartbreaking Story Revealed

A 67-year-old father, who was an amputee, died in the LA wildfires while trying to wait for an ambulance for his disabled son. The son, Justin, was in his early 20s and had cerebral palsy. They were found together in Altadena, California. The family shared that Anthony Mitchell was trying to protect both of them, but they didn’t make it out alive.

Anthony’s daughter, Hajime White, spoke to him on the phone the morning of the fire. He told her that he and Justin were evacuating because the fire was getting closer. But before they could escape, Anthony said, “I’ve got to go — the fire’s in the yard.” That was the last time she heard his voice. White said her father would never leave his son behind, no matter what. She described the loss as feeling like “a ton of bricks just fell on me.”

White also explained that her father had retired from his job as a salesman and was a dedicated family man. He loved his four children, 11 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

As the wildfires continued, the death toll in Los Angeles reached 10. Authorities warned that the number of deaths could rise as they continue to search through the affected areas. The LA Medical Examiner’s office said it could take weeks to identify all the victims. Many bodies have been hard to identify due to the fires destroying fingerprints and facial features. Investigators are using dental records and DNA to identify those who passed away.

Three other victims have already been named. Victor Shaw, 66, stayed behind to fight the fires and tragically died in the Eaton Fire. His sister, Shari Shaw, said she pleaded with him to leave, but he wanted to stay and rest due to his health conditions.

Rodney Nickerson, 82, also stayed behind in Altadena and died. His daughter, Kimiko Nickerson, said he believed the fire would pass over, so he decided to stay in his home instead of evacuating.

In the aftermath of the fires, many families are still searching for missing loved ones. Dalyce Kelley posted on Facebook asking for help in locating her grandmother after her home was destroyed.

As the fires continue to burn in Los Angeles, firefighters and residents are still searching through the ashes, trying to find survivors and help those affected. The wildfires in LA are some of the most destructive in history, burning over 34,000 acres of land, including homes of several famous celebrities like Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, and John Goodman.

As the area remains dangerous, officials are urging patience while they work to get an accurate count of the damage and deaths caused by these wildfires.