“Sheriff’s Department, anyone inside? Hello, anyone inside?”
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies called out as they hustled through the halls of a senior living complex in Altadena, knocking on doors and shining flashlights into the rooms as flames and smoke swirled just outside the building’s windows.
Deputies Nicholas Martinez and Quinn Alkonis were at the complex the morning of Jan. 8 to search for any remaining residents who had not evacuated for the Eaton fire, which the night before started moving rapidly toward the area.
A woman walking her dog outside the building, urged by the deputies to leave, said she was unsure if anyone remained inside.
They knocked on doors in the complex, using flashlights as there was no power, bodycam video distributed on Tuesday showed. In the distance, a voice was heard and the deputies quickly follow it — finding a 100-year-old woman.
“I’ve been trying to find a way out,” the woman said.
“Let’s get you out,” a deputy answered.
“Don’t lose me,” the woman responded.
The woman is deaf and had been charging her hearing aids, unable to hear anything, she told the two deputies.
The 100-year-old is one of more than 800 people evacuated from health facilities amidst California’s hard-hitting wildfires that erupted on Jan. 7. More than 250 people remain evacuated and relocated from the facilities they lived in.
Alongside law enforcement, staffers at senior living complexes worked to evacuate residents as the Eaton fire encroached in the Altadena and Pasadena areas.
Many of the 29 people who have perished in the Eaton and Palisades fires were older adults. Thirteen of the 18 currently identified victims were over the age of 60, prompting discussion about protecting vulnerable populations in emergency situations.
“In the face of adversity, these deputies took immediate action,” Sheriff Robert Luna said in a news release about the rescue of the 100-year-old.
“Their swift response under extreme pressure is a true reflection of their commitment,” the sheriff said. “I commend them and all deputies who responded to the wildfires for their unwavering dedication and service to the community, working tirelessly to save lives amid such danger.”