Jun Li Lujan and her husband, Robert, held a housewarming party like no other Tuesday night. They celebrated with an open house for community members and fellow fire victims, offering a glimmer of hope as they all build back.
"I not only built a structure. I built a home, with love, with soul, with happiness," Lujan said.
"We're very thankful that we could move back so soon. That's something to be thankful for. Truly, it's a gift," said her husband.
Days after the fire, Lujan, a home designer, was submitting permits ready to move forward.
The couple had just remodeled their home in 2020. This time, they took every precaution possible.
"Whole metal roof. All the siding... is aluminum... Everything I've done for this house, all fireproof," Lujan said.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger attended Tuesday's housewarming and said it's a positive step forward in the recovery process.
"One becomes two, becomes five, becomes 10, becomes 20... and with that, residents see that it can be done," she said.
Israel Del Toro, deputy director for the Pasadena Planning Department, said it was " super motivating" for the community as they work toward coming back home.
Every fixture and detail in the home was carefully thought out. A framed art piece, which is the only thing Lujan managed to grab as she fled the flames, is displayed front and center.
"I grabbed that because in my heart, I'm a fighter," she said.
That spirit and determination fueled her focus on the future and building a life her and her family love.
"This beautiful life, we restart right now," she added.
The Lujans may be the first to finish construction of their home in the burn zone, but they certainly won't be the last. Two more families in Altadena are set to receive their certificates of occupancy next week.