Brit reveals family home ‘looks like an atomic bomb hit it’ after ‘apocalyptic’ LA wildfire – as he hails ‘hero’ wife
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A BRIT dad has shared the devastation his family faces after their home in Pacific Palisades was destroyed in an "apocalyptic" wildfire. Andrew Stalbow, who has lived in the area since 2008, said the blaze left his neighbourhood looking like "an atomic bomb's hit it.".
![[Fire-damaged home and vehicle.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/d2d7aef3-7805-42f5-98dd-2de384336aab.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Mr Stalbow revealed the emotional toll of losing not only his "amazing home" but also treasured belongings, including pictures of his late grandfather. "It hasn't just hit one house, it's hit everybody. The whole village, schools, restaurants, everything we've got is turned to dust, and it looks like an atomic bomb's hit it.".
![[Man describes wildfire devastation.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/8638a0a9-fcf3-4523-aa58-4435f04b7671.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The wildfire, the largest and most destructive in the region, forced a frantic evacuation. Mr Stalbow's wife, a nursery teacher, was at work when the order was issued and had to act quickly to gather their children while others fled the area. "She did a brilliant job," he said.
![[Wind Street in Swansea, Wales at night after a fire break lockdown.]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/ac-09_01-la-fires-1707-map.jpg?strip=all&quality=100&w=745)
It comes as... "My wife... there's a real hero of this. I think we're all just thankful that we're alive and, most of all, my friends are fine, but everyone's lives have been ruined and destroyed.". Despite the devastation, the Brit dad expressed admiration for the firefighters battling the flames.
![[Firefighters battling a large fire at night.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/official-flickr-account-california-department-962556482.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He praised them as "unbelievable" and "so brave," noting the challenges they faced, including issues with the water supply. Looking ahead, he remains optimistic about rebuilding and drawing on the resilience of the community. "I don't recognise anything, everything's going to have to be rebuilt," he said.
![[Los Angeles skyline obscured by wildfire smoke.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NINTCHDBPICT000962632558.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
