A Cork man describes the devastation of LA wildfires, losing his home and studio in mere hours, as the community faces total destruction
Los Angeles: A Cork man, Andrew Duggan, found himself in a nightmare when wildfires swept through his neighborhood. He described the experience as “worse than being in a movie.” In just five hours, he lost everything.
Andrew and his partner, Renata, had built a life in Altadena, but when the evacuation notice came, they had to flee fast. Sadly, when he returned, his home and design studio were completely gone, reduced to ashes.
He shared how the only things left were some hedges, a few fruit trees, and the chimney stack. It was heartbreaking to see his community devastated. He mentioned that it would take at least a year or two to rebuild, but they’re determined to keep working.
Despite the loss, Andrew felt grateful that he and Renata, along with their dogs, made it out safely. They’re staying positive, knowing that their health is what matters most. The destruction around them is overwhelming, stretching from the hills to downtown.
Firefighters have been battling the flames that have spread across Hollywood, with reports of the situation being described as “apocalyptic.” The wildfires have destroyed thousands of properties, and many more are at risk.
With winds reaching up to 160 km/h, the fires have wreaked havoc since they started. Evacuations have forced around 180,000 residents to leave their homes, with many more under warnings. The sheriff has warned that the situation could worsen.
In the midst of this chaos, other locals, including singer Bambie Thug, managed to escape with help from friends. It’s a tough time for everyone affected, and the community is coming together to support one another.
