Jennifer Garner holds back tears in rubble of old neighborhood and says friend likely died
Southern California residents are beginning to see the aftermath of the raging wildfires and the extent of the devastation.
The World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization founded by Chef Jose Andres, is in southern California, helping to prepare hot meals for displaced people. This led actress Jennifer Garner to ask how she could help.
While Garner lives in Brentwood, she grew up in the Pacific Palisades. Speaking to MSNBC anchor Katy Tur, she became choked up as she pointed to things she remembered from her old neighborhood. Garner held back tears as she continued, later saying a friend she knew wasn't able to get out in time and likely didn't survive.
"I did lose a friend who did not get out in time," she said, tearing up.
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Another MSNBC reporter then spoke to a man who worked for five hours in the dark to save his and his neighbors' homes. He was forced to stop when his shoes caught on fire.
"I was trying as far as the hose would reach to help my neighbors, and my heart and my soul goes out to them because we just — they lost so much," the man said, breaking down.
"They've always been there for me and my family since my kids were born," he continued. "They always come over and make sure we're all right. And at their birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, even though, by name, they're not family, they're in our hearts."
He went on to say, "I did as much as I could," breaking down again. "I just wish there [were] more resources when the winds were probably 70, 80 miles an hour. I mean, imagine taking a shower in nothing but red ashes. I didn't even need a flashlight because the whole sky was red around me. It was just so bad."
Altadena Town Councilmember Nic Arnzen spoke to Tur, sharing the information he got from the latest briefing from disaster assistance and first responders.
He revealed that nearly every home in the council district has burned to the ground in 24 hours.
"It looks like half of Altadena is gone," he said.
Tur asked how he was doing and he had to look away from the camera and compose himself. With tears flooding his eyes, he said, "I'm just trying to get through."
He explained that part of his job is getting to know the people in his district, whether they are businesses or families.
"But that leads to getting personally involved," he said, confessing that it's hard to answer the question about how he and the residents are doing.
Arnzen also revealed that the death toll, which currently climbed to 10, will likely increase because, as it stands, the only dead people being counted are those who died outside of their homes. They know that there are people who died inside of their structures, but they know they'll need cadaver dogs to help locate them.
Raw Story created a list of local charities that are helping on the ground here.
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