VIDEO: A Los Angeles Fire Department captain who lost his home to the devastating Eaton Fire last year was surprised with extra support in the form of a $200,000 grant to help him rebuild.
Al Hugo and his wife, Carmen, called Altadena their home for 20 years. They reminisced about the times they would gather near their fire pit and enjoy the scenery from their yard. Now, that home is no longer standing since Januaryโs brush fire destroyed it.
Al said he never thought the flames on the foothills of Altadena last year would reach his home. โIt was northeast of here,โ he said. โIโm well over two miles away. I didnโt expect it, the fire to do what it did.โ
The flames inched closer to the Hugosโ community, eventually reaching their property. The couple was forced to escape from the area with their four dogs. โIt was surreal,โ Al said. โI canโt believe itโs almost been a year. It literally flew by.โ
