Newly released body camera footage shows the moments that two Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies rescue a year-old woman trapped inside of her elderly living center in Altadena as the Eaton Fire raged nearby. It happened on Jan. The elderly living center where the woman resided was one of thousands of places that was put under an urgent evacuation order as the situation continued to develop, which led LASD to dispatch deputies to the area in search of people who needed help leaving.
The footage shows the pair racing down the hallways of the elderly living center, shouting out for anyone who may still be inside, using flashlights to guide their way as the power was out.
In the video, she can be heard explaining that she was having problems finding an exit, and that she couldn't hear anything as she was deaf and her hearing aids were charging when the chaos erupted. They were able to safely escort the woman, as well as another resident who was also unaware of the wildfire as they returned from walking their dog. That woman alerted them that there may be someone else inside the building, which led to their frantic search.
I commend them and all deputies who responded to the wildfires for their unwavering dedication and service to the community, working tirelessly to save lives amid such danger.
Their courage and selflessness exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement, and they deserve our deepest respect and gratitude. KCAL News spoke with the two young deputies about the incident on Wednesday, hours after their bodycam footage went viral. When they finally found the woman, whom they have not identified, they said she seemed out of sorts.
