Eaton Fire recovery: Family finishes rebuilding beloved West Altadena home

WEST ALTADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- Los Angeles County marked another milestone Friday in the Eaton Fire recovery process, issuing another certificate of occupancy for a fully rebuilt home - this time in West Altadena.

It's the first certificate of occupancy for a rebuilt primary residence in West Altadena.

The home belongs to John Dyson, who's lived on the property for 48 years. He helped build the original home with his father.

"I think that that he would be very proud of us," said Dyson. "I think when we see each other again, he's going to be glad that I put it back, bigger and better, and he's going to be glad that we put our handprints in the concrete, just like him and my mom did in 1979."

The first certificate was issued Thursday to Ted Koerner for his Altadena home on East Loma Alta Drive.

READ MORE | First fully rebuilt home in Altadena since Eaton Fire marked safe by county, cleared for move-in

Ted Koerner's home on East Loma Alta Drive is the first fully-rebuilt residence to be completed following the fire, and the certificate means it's safe to live in.

The certificates mean the homes are safe and ready for moving in.

"It signifies the fact that it can be done," said L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. "[Dyson] said while they were very ambitious and didn't think they'd be in by the holidays, but they were, or they are going to be, it can be done. I think it's important to educate people about the fact that this house is hardened and the cost didn't push them out of the ability to rebuild."

Dyson's 1,470 square-foot home features three bedrooms and two bathrooms along with a newly constructed Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).

The county said these projects are just the beginning and more homes are expected to completed soon.