A California fire chief demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness by saving his brother’s home and that of a neighbor during the Eaton Fire, using only a carton of milk and a couple of beers. Brian Fennessy, who has nearly 50 years of firefighting experience, described this incident as unprecedented in his career.
Upon learning about the fire threatening Altadena, Fennessy rushed to check on his brother. After struggling to reach him, he received the reassuring news that his brother and family had evacuated safely. Already in the vicinity, Fennessy decided to inspect the properties.
As he drove through the neighborhood, he witnessed extensive destruction, with many homes engulfed in flames. To his relief, both his brother’s house and a neighboring residence remained intact. However, he quickly noticed that the gas meter at the back of one house was on fire. Although there was a hose nearby, it was dry.
“I thought I’d check the refrigerator,” Fennessy recounted, “and all that was in there was some milk and a couple of beers.” He then used these items to cool down the gas meter, which was at risk of igniting further. “I wasn’t sure if it was going to rekindle, but it was all I could do,” he added.
Ultimately, his quick thinking and improvised methods proved effective; both homes were the only ones on their block that survived the blaze. Fennessy reflected on the experience, noting that such urban fires may become more common in Southern California’s future.