An Edinburgh graduate lost everything in California wildfires but his family home survived the devastation
Los Angeles: An Edinburgh University grad, Gavin Donohue, had to flee his home due to raging wildfires. The flames swept through his neighborhood, destroying everything in their path.
Gavin, who graduated in 2023 with a degree in astrophysics, moved back to Pacific Palisades. This area is now facing one of California’s worst wildfires ever.
It all started on January 10 around 10:30 AM. At first, Gavin thought it was just another brush fire. But soon, it turned into a massive wildfire.
He recalled seeing smoke and then a house catch fire. That’s when he realized things were serious. “We’ve had fires before, but this was different,” he said.
When the evacuation alert came, Gavin and his family quickly packed their car and headed to a hotel in Manhattan Beach. “It was chaotic. We had no time to think,” he shared.
With winds gusting up to 70 mph, the fire spread rapidly. Over 1,000 firefighters and 260 engines were deployed to fight the flames, but it was tough.
Gavin described the scene: “It looked like a war zone. Almost all the houses are gone.” Miraculously, his family home survived, but his room was completely destroyed.
He lost nearly everything, except for a few belongings he managed to grab, including his diploma. “I’m heartbroken but relieved. We’re lucky to still have a house,” he said.
Now, the family is left wondering if they should stay in Los Angeles. “The neighborhood is devastated. We’re all shaken up,” Gavin added.
