In Altadena, California, a high school football coach is mourning the loss of his sister, _Evelyn McClendon_, who tragically died in the recent Eaton fire. The fire has affected numerous homes and families in the Los Angeles area. Coach _Zaire Calvin_ shared his experience of the chaotic moments leading up to the fire, as he tried to evacuate his own family, which includes his wife, a one-year-old child, and his elderly mother.
On Tuesday, January 7, as the flames approached, Calvin spoke to his sister, who was preparing to leave her home. He remembered, “I felt that she was on her way out.” However, while he was busy with his family, he noticed her car still parked outside her house. Desperate, he rushed over to her home, shouting for her to evacuate. “Everybody’s yelling, ‘Get out,’” he recalled. But when he returned the next day, the reality hit him hard; McClendon’s car was still there, parked outside her home.
Calvin later learned that his sister’s remains were found in her bedroom after the fire destroyed the neighborhood. He expressed the emotional turmoil, stating, “It’s been hard, processing all this, I’ve been crying every day.” His son, _Jamire Calvin_, who also lived nearby and escaped the blaze, shared memories of his aunt, mentioning how she used to watch movies with him as a child.
Amidst their sorrow, Zaire Calvin is calling for unity in the community to help rebuild their neighborhood. “Just as long as we stick together and do not sell — please, keep your homes — my Altadena community, fight for everything,” he said. Donations are being accepted to support recovery efforts, including a GoFundMe that has raised over $49,000 in a short time.
As of the recent report, the Eaton fire continues to rage, having burned over 14,000 acres and remaining only 35% contained. The Calvin family urges others to consider supporting the victims of this tragic event.
