'Not out of the woods': Fire-scarred LA braces for another round of dangerous winds

For the first time in a week, Ken Karmin emerged from the Palisades Fire zone after he stayed behind to save his home.

For the first time in a week, Ken Karmin emerged from the Palisades Fire zone after he stayed behind to save his home.

Lydia Sawyer fought back tears as she saw her destroyed home for the first time Tuesday after the Eaton Fire.

Sawyer, her husband Tom, and her 87-year-old uncle Richard Castañeda all shared the home with the Sawyers three youngest grandchildren they are taking care of.

"It's my first time seeing it. It's breaking my heart, everybody in the community, it breaks my heart," said Lydia Sawyer.

A family who lost their home in the Eaton Fire faces uncertainty after learning they wouldn't be covered by their insurance due to a late payment.

"Oh, it's hard to put into words. I lost my wife maybe three, four years ago to dementia. Now I lost everything," he said.

Their home and the kids' school are all part of an estimated 7000 structures burned in Altadena.

"What am I going to do with my kids, my grandkids. I don't know how to explain to them, I still don't," said Tom Sawyer. "It's going to be the hardest thing to do ever, to tell them that everything they have, everything they own is lost."

As they try to make sense of their loss, the family faces another issue. Their insurance company told them they would not be covered because they were late on their last payment.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been set up to help the family rebuild after the fire.

When the wind-driven Eaton Fire whipped through Altadena, it didn't just destroy neighborhoods, it wiped away part of the rich history of the city.

Decades ago, when the illegal and discriminatory practice of redlining was widespread, parts of Altadena were open for people of color to buy homes. As a result, generations of Black families planted roots there.

During the illegal and discriminatory practice of redlining, generations of Black families put down roots in Altadena where they could buy homes.

"You've got three generations," said Altadena resident Pauline Daniels. "And we are Daniels, Franklin, Hughes and we have an element that's not here: Freeney."

Between these families, seven homes were destroyed.

Click here for the full story to take a look at the rich Black history of Altadena.

A musician with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and his family lost their home to the Eaton Fire.

Trumpet player Christopher Still told Eyewitness News he and the family evacuated with their dogs, go bags and the clothes on their backs in just five minutes. He said though it's all replaceable, as a family of professional musicians, their musical instruments have great sentimental value and, unfortunately, they've lost nearly two dozen instruments.

Trying to stay positive, Still and his family are hanging on to the memories they made together over the years jamming out -- and to the new ones rising from the ashes of their community coming together. Still said they're incredibly grateful for the support his family has received from the LA Phil and his sponsor, Yamaha.

A musician with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and his family lost their home to the Eaton Fire.