Los Angeles wildfires: Victims of deadly California blaze identified as families grieve

The identities of some of the first victims of the LA fires have been revealed as their heartbroken families try to piece together what happened in their final moments.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner has confirmed that the death toll now stands at 10, with fears that could rise further.

But behind the numbers are real people and the families who now grieve their loss.

Earlier, Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna said of the deadly blazes: “It looks as though an atomic bomb dropped in these areas”

He said he was praying the death toll would not increase, “but based on the devastation that is clear” he said he “doesn’t expect good news.”

Below are the victims who have so far been identified.

Victor Shaw

Shari Shaw said her older brother Victor, 66, who lived on a cul-de-sac near the forest, died trying to protect his Altadena home from the ferocious flames of the Eaton Fire.

His charred body was found in front of the house with a garden hose still in his hand.

“I can’t imagine what he might have been thinking, how he might have been so frightened,” Shari Shaw said.

“And I couldn’t be here, I couldn’t be here to save him. I couldn’t be here, that’s what hurts the most,” she told ABC News.

Those close to Mr Shaw, who was described as a hard worker who drove a blood-mobile and made contract deliveries, indicated that he had health issues that made it difficult for him to move easily.

Rodney Nickerson

A short walk from Mr Shaw’s fire-ravaged home, 83-year-old grand Rodney Nickerson also lost his life in the fires.

The retired aerospace engineer for Lockheed Martin was reportedly found by his family dead in his bed in the ruins of his home in Altadena.

“We found his bones, his whole body was intact,” his daughter, Kimiko Nickerson, told CBS News.

She said he had insisted on staying on in the house despite evacuation orders as the fire bore down on the area. Ms Nickerson said she had spoken to him at about 9.30pm the night before.

“That was the last thing he verbally said to me was, ‘I’ll be here tomorrow’,” she said.

“My son tried to get him to leave, my neighbours and myself, and he said he’ll be fine.”

Erliene Kelley

Long-time Altadena resident and retired pharmacy technician Erliene Kelley, who lived close to Mr Shaw and Mr Nickerson, also died in her home.

“She was so, so, so sweet,” neighbour Terry Pyburn told The New York Times.

“She was an angel. That’s the perfect neighbour. When you see her you have to smile.”

Tragically, he suggested poor communication about the threat posed by the fire had caused confusion about evacuation. He and his wife Rita had only fled when they began to smell smoke.

“It was panic. Everyone took off and no one thought to check on anybody,” Mr Pyburn said.

“I think the notice came too late.

Anthony Mitchell

Father of four Anthony Mitchell, a retired salesman and amputee, also died in the fires that reduced much of Altadena to ashes.

His daughter Hajime White told the Washington Post that she last spoke to him on Wednesday morning.

“He said, ‘Baby, I’m just letting you know the fires broke out, and we’re going to have to evacuate,’” Ms White said.

“Then he said, ‘I’ve got to go — the fire’s in the yard’.”

Mr Mitchell who used a wheelchair, lived with his son Justin who is in his 20s and living with cerebral palsy. Another son who lived with them was in hospital when the fires broke out.

The family have been told that Mr Mitchell was found by his son’s bed and believes he may have been trying to save him.

“He was not going to leave his son behind. No matter what,” Ms White said.

“It’s very hard. It’s like a ton of bricks just fell on me.”