The Eaton fire in Pasadena and Altadena, California, resulted in 17 fatalities due to delayed evacuation orders. Residents west of Lake Avenue did not receive evacuation notifications until after 3 a.m., hours after the fire had already spread and some homes were ablaze.
- Delayed evacuation orders caused fatalities.
- 17 victims lived in unnotified area.
- Fire reports received but no immediate action.
- County supervisor calls for investigation.
- Elderly resident returned home before fire spread.
- Family sought help after evacuation deadline.
The Eaton fire began earlier this month and quickly escalated, prompting immediate evacuation orders for several neighborhoods. However, one area remained unnotified for over seven hours despite reports of burning homes. This delay has raised serious concerns regarding emergency response protocols.
Key details include:
- All 17 victims lived in the area that received late evacuation orders.
- Dalyce Curry, a 95-year-old resident, was dropped off at home shortly before the fire spread.
- Anthony Mitchell and his son Justin sought help evacuating but died when flames engulfed their home.
Kathryn Barger, the county supervisor for the affected area, expressed deep concern over the loss of life and called for an investigation into the emergency notification process during the incident. The tragedy highlights potential flaws within the system designed to protect residents from such disasters.
The tragic outcomes of the Eaton fire emphasize the importance of timely communication during emergencies. As investigations continue, officials aim to improve notification systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.
