Los Angeles Fire Captain, Son, Brother Save Neighborhood from Wildfire
There are many stories emerging how residents sprung into action to help their neighbors during the historic deadly wildfires in California.
This is how an off-duty Los Angeles fire captain, his firefighter brother and his son kept the Easton Fire at bay, saving an entire block of homes in his neighborhood.
When he was relieved from fighting the Hurst Fire, Capt. Dan Lievense headed to his next assignment -- to protect his and his neighbors' houses in Altadena. He called his brother, also an LAFD firefighter, for help, KTLA reported, adding that Lievense's oldest son was already using a garden hose.
The captain secured hundreds of yards worth of hose line from a nearby county fire station and hooked it up to a fire hydrant on his street.
For over 48 hours, the three of them stayed awake to battle the fire, determined to save as many homes as they could.
“It’s great what I could save, but I’m always questioning myself thinking, ‘Could I have done more? I do feel proud of what we were able to save and all the neighbors are very thankful. We were able to pretty much keep [the flames] in the backyards and saved about 14 houses on this block.”
“I’m glad I had my brother and my son here that we were able to come up with a plan. It was reassuring to know the amount of protection you can do with just three people and a fire hydrant.”
Lievense said his oldest son plans on following in his footsteps, pursuing a career as a firefighter.
