Heroic Effort Saves Homes from the Eaton Fire
As the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena, Antonio Antonetti was determined not to abandon his home. His bravery and quick thinking paid off, as he not only saved his own property but also managed to protect six other homes from destruction.
“Some friends called around midnight and told me to leave,” Antonetti told our news source on Monday. “But I said, ‘I can’t lose my house. I don’t have family that can bail me out.’”
The Eaton Fire Inches Closer
The 66-year-old watched in fear as the Eaton Fire crept closer. What started as a distant threat soon became a direct danger block from his home. At 4 a.m., his tenant knocked on the door, urging him to evacuate. “I told them to go ahead and leave,” Antonetti said. “I stayed behind and saw fire jumping from house to house.”
When he called a neighbor, Antonetti learned they had already evacuated. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said he told them. “I’m going to do the best I can to save our homes.”
Fighting the Eaton Fire with a Plan
Alongside two neighbors in their 60s, Antonetti fought the Eaton Fire with determination. The trio raced from yard to yard, using water hoses to extinguish flames ignited by flying embers. Antonetti’s plan involved turning on all the water hoses in the neighborhood, ensuring easy access to put out hot spots. “I made a plan that worked,” he explained. “I created a perimeter that would not burn.”
Antonetti noted that the yards and fences were the first to catch fire, so he focused on extinguishing those areas to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby homes. At one point, the water supply was cut, but his courage and resourcefulness helped him push through.
Confronting the Flames at His Property
Despite his efforts, the Eaton Fire eventually reached Antonetti’s own property. Flames engulfed the house behind him, and he could do little to stop it. In a video he recorded, the neighbor’s garage is shown consumed by fire, with a car reduced to its frame. Antonetti stood firm, wielding a water hose to stop embers from igniting his yard.
Miraculously, Antonetti managed to prevent the fire from spreading to his home. “I saved seven homes, including my own,” he said.
Battling Fire and Looters
Even after battling the Eaton Fire, Antonetti faced another challenge—looters. “They tried to break into my neighbor’s home, but I wasn’t going to let looters destroy what I worked so hard to protect,” he said. Antonetti confronted them, and law enforcement responded quickly, increasing security in the area.
The Larger Impact of the Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire left devastation in its wake, including the loss of several high-value properties. One notable victim was Edwin Castro, the 2023 Powerball winner, who lost one of his newly acquired Malibu homes to the flames. The fire also threatened his properties in the Hollywood Hills and Altadena, though they were spared.
Courage in the Face of Disaster
The story of the Eaton Fire isn’t just about destruction—it’s also about courage, resilience, and community. People like Antonio Antonetti exemplify what it means to protect what matters most, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
News Source:- CNN
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