LA wildfires: Four members of the same family each lose their home
Share and Follow


() While wildfires devastating wealthy Los Angeles neighborhoods have dominated headlines, the historic community of Altadena is facing its own crisis as multiple generations of families lose their homes to the flames.

Among them are the Williams sisters, whose family exemplifies Altadena’s tight-knit community California’s first middle-class Black neighborhood, established during the Great Migration as a sanctuary from Jim Crow laws.

“The community is super strong, and we always have been,” Eshele Williams said Monday on ‘s “CUOMO.” “You’re talking about generational home ownership, but the families that still live in Altadena, we’ve never moved.”

Now, the area’s nearly 50,000 residents are a diverse mix, with Black and Latino residents comprising half the population.

Three Williams sisters, along with their parents who once fostered local children, lost their homes to the fires.

A fourth sister’s home remains standing but is currently inaccessible. The extended family 17 people, four dogs and a 40-year-old family parrot named Hank are now sharing a hotel room.

Their mother, Matilda Williams, said that family unity is key to their survival.

“Our faith, our unity, definitely, and the love we have for each other when something goes wrong, we all gather together,” she said.

The Williams family has started two GoFundMe pages to rebuild their homes.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
CBS didn't include White House statement about Angel Parents in CECOT segment on '60 Minutes'

Controversy Unfolds: CBS ’60 Minutes’ Omits Key White House Statement on Angel Parents

The White House provided CBS with a statement intended for a “60…
Two men charged with rape after switching places during cruise hookup

Cruise Hookup Leads to Charges for Two Men in Shocking Identity Swap Case

Two American men are facing rape charges following allegations that they deceived…
Where is Santa Claus right now? NORAD tracks Santa for 70th year

Track Santa’s Magical Journey: NORAD Celebrates 70 Years of Real-Time Santa Surveillance

As the holiday season unfolds, Santa Claus and his trusty reindeer are…
Sean 'Diddy' Combs seeks immediate release from prison in New York appeals argument

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Files Urgent Appeal for Release from New York Prison

In a high-profile legal battle, attorneys for hip-hop entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs…
Kevin Niemiec, Zachary Mascolo, Jon Clary II accused of sexually assaulting female classmate at Roselle St. Viator HS party

Three Roselle St. Viator High School Students Charged in Sexual Assault Case at Off-Campus Party

In Roselle, Illinois, three teenagers face accusations of sexually assaulting a fellow…
Repeat offender allegedly kills Ohio man just days after nonprofit pays his bail

Family’s Plea Ignored: Nonprofit Releases Repeat Offender Who Allegedly Commits Murder Days Later

The Bail Project calls family of repeat offender In a tragic turn…
Manhunt underway for 3 'dangerous' inmates who broke out of Georgia jail

Three Georgia Jail Escapees Allegedly Compel Lyft Driver to Florida, Apprehended by Authorities

Three inmates who made a daring escape from a jail in DeKalb…
Shemekia Copeland, well-known blues singer, to help ring in 2026 at Chicago New Year's Eve 2025 event

Blues Icon Shemekia Copeland to Headline Chicago’s 2025 New Year’s Eve Celebration

CHICAGO — Renowned blues artist Shemekia Copeland is celebrated for her electrifying…