Some neighbors stick around to protect Simi Valley homes despite evacuation orders, warnings
At least one home has burned and thousands of people are under evacuation orders and warnings as the Sandy Fire burns in Simi Valley.
When the Sandy Fire began to rip through the Simi Valley brush and headed toward homes, many residents headed to their garden hoses.
"The fire's in back of us. It's coming down the hill, and it's going to come back up. There's a couple firefighters up on the hill with some big hoses, should we get flare-up, so we're hoping to keep the flames from coming up the mountain," said Brent Richter.
Unfortunately, one home fell victim to the fire. Firefighters were unable to save the house on Trickling Brook Court.
Neighbors say the fast-moving flames snuck up on them.
"I was inside cleaning the house, and I opened the slider to take trash outside, and ashes and... it just came very fast. It's faster than usual," another neighbor told Eyewitness News.
Thousands of residents are under evacuation orders, but not everyone is willing to leave.
The part of Simi Valley impacted is a big equestrian community, with stables in most backyards.
Alex Hoffmaster sped home from work to evacuate his two horses but decided to stick around to keep an eye on the fire.
"This was an evacuation area, but I felt safe enough to stay. I just wanted to kind of see how bad it was and protect the house at all costs, then evacuate at the last possible minute," Hoffmaster said.
Firefighters say the direction of the wind has changed, and that's good for the homes on Rocking Horse Drive. By 6 p.m., the wind was blowing toward the San Fernando Valley.
