Pearls, a Power Saw, and a Lawn Mower Toy: What LA Fire Survivors Went Back For
A Glimpse of Hope Amid the Ashes
For thousands of Los Angeles residents, the fires that swept through the region left devastation in their wake. Over five days, at least ten people lost their lives, and countless homes were reduced to ash. Yet, as the flames subsided and the embers cooled, some survivors returned to sift through the rubble—searching for fragments of their lives before the disaster.
Among the ruins, small treasures emerged: trinkets, mementos, and reminders of the lives they had built. These discoveries, though modest, brought moments of solace to those navigating unimaginable loss.
A Toy Lawn Mower: Henry Giles
When six-year-old Henry Giles returned to his Altadena home with his parents, he knew where to search.
Though their house was destroyed, the family found a small victory: a toy lawn mower hidden in the bushes.
“Mommy, look! They survived! We hid them in the bushes because we knew there would be a fire!” Henry exclaimed with excitement.
The front gate and wall were miraculously untouched, with intact mail still in the letterbox. But the rest of the property bore the scars of the fire—burned-out cars in the driveway, a destroyed swing set, and charred plants.
Henry’s mother, Deisy, recalled her son’s heartbreak over losing a new 3D printer.
“He asked why I didn’t grab it, and I told him we could only take what was most important,” she said. “He replied, ‘Well, it was important to me.’”
A Page from a Book: Deisy Suarez
For Deisy Suarez, sifting through the ashes of her dream home unearthed an unexpected treasure: a single page from a book on self-growth and empowerment.
“This must have been on my nightstand,” she said, holding the charred page. “I believe it’s a divine message for me to keep going.”
The home, where she and her husband Keith had lived for three years, was still smoldering. As Keith sorted through the wreckage of their kitchen, the couple faced a difficult decision: sending their children, Henry and Lucas, to Florida to stay with family.
“It’s hard to be apart,” Deisy admitted. “But it’s what’s best for now. They need to see there’s nothing left here so they understand.”
One Bowl, One Plate: Larry Villescas
For Larry Villescas, 52, the ruins of his home offered little comfort. But as he rummaged through the debris with his wife and children, he discovered a poignant reminder of their history: a bowl and plate from a wedding gift set given by his great-aunt.
“It’s lasted 24 years,” he said. “We’ve been together for 29 years, and this set was with us from the start. It’s just a dish and a bowl, but it means so much now.”
Amid the widespread destruction, Larry’s family also salvaged a Christmas ornament and a Dr. Seuss book—small but cherished relics of their life before the fire.
A Shattered Vase: Daron Anderson
Daron Anderson carefully navigated the charred remains of his home, searching for keepsakes amid the wreckage.
In what used to be his patio, he found fragments of his mother’s ceramic pottery. Most pieces disintegrated in his hands, but one white-and-blue flowered vase remained intact.
“Oh man, little stuff like this… I know my mom will love it,” Daron said. “It’s small, but it’s something.”
A Saw and Two Pearls: Peter Mitchell and Tavia Weinmann
Peter Mitchell, a woodworker by passion, lost the tools he used to craft furniture and cabinets when the fire consumed his home.
As he sifted through the remnants of his workshop, he found a power saw and antique hand tools—items he treasured not for their value but for the joy they brought him.
“I can replace these,” Peter said. “As much as I loved this saw, it’s now in Valhalla.”
Meanwhile, his neighbor Tavia Weinmann combed through charred coins and ash to recover two pearls from her mother’s necklace—a sentimental find that brought her solace.
Finding Strength in Small Things
For the survivors of the Los Angeles fires, the physical devastation is overwhelming. Yet, in their searches through the ruins, they’ve uncovered fragments of hope and resilience.
From a child’s toy to a cherished wedding gift, these small discoveries remind them of what truly matters—and offer a glimmer of light as they begin to rebuild their lives.
