When Ifeanyi Ezieme was five years old, his family moved into a house in Altadena, California. The oldest of five siblings, he recalls that house as the center of their lives, a place where core memories were made. Their church, Metropolitan Baptist Church, stood just down the street.
Altadena was more than home; it was a haven for Black and Brown families, one of the first places in California where Black people could own homes.
“Altadena was our footprint on California in a positive way,” Ifeanyi shared. But on the morning of Jan. 8, that beloved home was lost to fire.
The evacuation began around 3 a.m. Earlier in the evening, Ifeanyi and his family noticed red smoke in the distance but believed they were safe.
“The wind was blowing the other direction. I even took videos at 10:30 p.m. and told my family I thought we were good,” he said.
Living in the house at the time were Ifeanyi, his mom, two brothers, and their two dogs. While keeping an eye on the fire, he and his brother devised a plan: If the situation worsened, his mom and one brother would leave first while the two of them stayed back to defend the house.
That plan was upended when a neighbor’s palm tree suddenly caught fire, and the wind shifted toward their home.
“My mom panicked, threw her stuff in the car, and insisted we all leave,” Ifeanyi said. The family evacuated to his sister’s apartment, and he stayed at a friend’s house nearby.
Yet, the thought of their home consumed him. “I told my brother, ‘I want to go back and fight this fire.’”
At 3:40 a.m., Ifeanyi attempted to return but was stopped by police at Altadena Drive. Unable to sleep, he learned from his younger brother, who managed to bypass roadblocks the next morning, that their house was gone.
“He drove through our neighborhood, and every home was burned down. When he got to our street, everything was flat. I asked if there was anything salvageable. He said no.”
The brothers delayed telling their parents the devastating news, but were grateful for the reaction once they did divulge the news.
“My dad, he’s the rock of our home. He kept us chipper even though this broke all of us. And my mom said she already knew in her heart when we drove away that it was the last time she’d see the house,” Ifeanyi said.
The most immediate problem was air quality; Ifeanyi’s middle brother has sickle cell anemia and a history of respiratory issues. For safety, the family sent him to be with family in Virginia indefinitely, until the air quality proved safe for even the most at-risk folks.
“The number one thing is that he is healthy,” Ifeanyi explained. The family is now navigating insurance claims, fundraising, and seeking community support.
“My mom was at the Pasadena Civic Center trying to get a $250 grant,” he said. While grateful for their safety, Ifeanyi expressed frustration with how the fire was handled.
“We don’t blame anyone for fires in the mountains, but the lack of water at hydrants and the way resources were distributed — it makes me wonder how many homes could’ve been saved. My 60-year-old neighbors were left fighting a fire on their house while firefighters stood by.”
Despite the loss, Ifeanyi is comforted by Altadena’s strong sense of community.
“Everyone’s checking in on each other. Altadena has always been one of those places where you nod at your neighbors walking their dogs. When Altadena gets back on its feet, it’s going to be a place where everyone has each other’s back,” he said.
For now, the Ezieme family is taking it day by day, holding onto the hope of rebuilding. “Altadena was where we grew up, where we made memories. It’s still home in our hearts.”
To contribute to the Ezieme family, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rebuild-the-ezieme-familys-home
