A California man and his 83-year-old walker-needing father-in-law relied on quick thinking and help from two strangers to escape raging wildfires that threatened their neighborhood.
Key Facts:
• Multiple wildfires blazed across Los Angeles County, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate.
• Aaron Samson, 48, was caring for his elderly father-in-law in Pacific Palisades when the fire spread.
• The pair had no car, so Samson flagged down neighbors for rides twice during their escape.
• Wind-driven flames destroyed more than 1,000 structures throughout the region.
The Rest of The Story:
Samson recorded video as he and his father-in-law fled, with flames surrounding the car they tried to use
.
The father-in-law cautioned Samson to save himself if the situation grew too dangerous, but Samson refused to leave him behind.
They walked for several minutes through smoky streets until a second individual offered them a ride to safety in Santa Monica.
Samson later said he was profoundly grateful for the strangers’ kindness in a moment of crisis.
In the broader area, strong Santa Ana winds carried burning embers and fueled widespread devastation, leveling entire neighborhoods.
Fire crews worked nonstop, hoping that a lull in the winds might help them contain the flames.
At least five lives were lost in the fires, which will take days or weeks to fully extinguish.
Aaron Samson and his 83-year-old father-in-law, who has Parkinson’s disease, captured their terrifying escape on foot from the Palisades Fire.
He shares their harrowing story of survival with CBS Mornings: “I can’t put it into words how big it is and how much it affected my… pic.twitter.com/pdmhh6GCu4
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) January 9, 2025
The Bottom Line:
California wildfires can appear suddenly and spread fast, especially when winds are strong.
Samson’s experience underscores the value of both preparedness and neighborly aid in a disaster.
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Thanks to two quick-thinking Good Samaritans, he and his father-in-law escaped unharmed.