A California man whose home was the only one on his block spared by the Eaton Fire captured a stunning video showing the devastation in his neighborhood, saying “God knew what he had to do to protect me.” 

Enrique Balcazar recorded the footage on Jan. 9 as he returned to see what was left of his community in Altadena. 

“This is across the street, the corner house and the two houses in front and the entire street on my right side is decimated,” he said. “From what I could see, every house is burnt down on my block, except for my house.” 

“Why do I deserve this? I don’t know. I don’t think I deserve it. But God bless everybody else with plenty of insurance to rebuild. God knew what he had to do to protect me,” Balcazar added, while getting emotional. 

An extension that Enrique Balcazar was building onto his home in Altadena emerged was unharmed during the Los Angeles wildfires. But the Eaton Fire consumed some of the lumber he was using in his backyard. (Enrique Balcazar via Storyful)

At one point in the video, Balcazar reveals that a portion of his garage’s roof was still smoldering. 

“The garage is even still standing. I don’t understand how this happens. This is God,” he said. 

“Alright, we are going to go ahead and put some water on that right now, make sure we put that out so it doesn’t reignite,” Blacazar added before the video ends. 

Enrique Balcazar’s neighborhood in Altadena was devastated by the Eaton Fire. (Enrique Balcazar via Storyful)

“Besides that, the entire house is still here. Thank you God,” he said.