Carla Saenz Survived; – In the aftermath of the Eaton fire that devastated a neighborhood in Altadena, California, only one residence remains intact on a street otherwise marked by destruction. This home belongs to Carla Saenz, a long-time resident of Altadena for nearly 25 years.
Saenz, along with her friend and gardener, Santiago Martinez, observed the advancing flames as they approached her property. Martinez, who resides in a room located behind Saenz’s house, took immediate action by watering the entire front area of the home. By early Wednesday morning, the fire had come alarmingly close, prompting them to evacuate.
Saenz made her way to her parents’ residence in National City, California, while Martinez claimed he would head to his daughter’s home, a statement that was not accurate. Instead, he returned to Saenz’s property, climbed onto the roof, and tirelessly used a garden hose to protect the house for several hours, ultimately managing to alert multiple fire crews to the situation.
“The foam spray that covered my home was entirely due to his efforts,” Saenz remarked. While Saenz’s house was spared, Martinez suffered significant losses, including the room he occupied and all of his gardening equipment.
“I am profoundly grateful to him. He is truly an angel sent to me by the Lord,” Saenz expressed. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist Martinez in rebuilding his life and replacing his lost tools. “I find it difficult to articulate the depth of his sacrifice,” Saenz added.
