My name is Angelina and I am a victim of the Eaton Canyon Fire. 906 Boston Street in Altadena was my nest. It was the first place, in a long time, that felt like mine. There was a certain mysticism to the building, a certain magic, that felt of another time and place. It was humble and abandoned looking from the outside but when you walked up the stairs and into the patio it felt like you were let in on a secret. People felt it. I did every time I walked into the courtyard during my four years there.

My last night in my apartment was marked by hungry, howling winds that blew my south facing unit and left me with strange, vivid dreams. It felt like the building was alive, like it was trying to tell me something. “Leave,” it said, and I did. Little did I know it would be the last time sleeping in my bed, the last time I was surrounded by my things collected over a medley of places, countries and people. When I left, I did not anticipate an evacuation, a fire, a city burnt to ashes. I left because of the winds.

Now 906 Boston is gutted and burnt. There is nothing left but a fragile exterior. I lost everything. I did not take anything with me. I did not anticipate this level of destruction. It’s difficult to describe how I feel, shock, sadness, anger, grief, disbelief, numbness. I am not good at asking for help, but during this time I need it. Anything would help to rebuild my life and my living situation.

I am grateful to you for reading this and send my love to everyone who is struggling during this time. I love you Altadena and I know we will come together and get through this.