Fire Chief Uses Milk and a 'Couple Beers' He Found in a Refrigerator While Saving Homes from L.A. Fires

Mar. 15, 2025

A California fire chief had to improvise while trying to save whatever homes were left standing as theEaton firethreatened a neighborhood in Altadena.

Although he was able to find a hose, there was no water at the time, according to KABC, so he had to make a forced entry into the home.

“I thought I’ll check the refrigerator and all that was in there was some milk and a couple beers,” Fennessy told the outlet.

“Went back out and kind of ran back there and cooled it off and pulled it back a little bit,” he added. “It wasn’t completely out, so I wasn’t sure if it was going to rekindle, but it was all I could do.”

After he learned the Eaton fire was spreading to Altadena, Fennessy, who grew up there, tried to reach his brother to make sure he was okay. When he wasn’t able to make contact with him, Fennessy made the drive up,60 Minutesreported.

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For Fennessy, this marked the first time he’d ever put out flames in such an unusual way.

“In this case, yeah, you know, little bit of milk and a couple beers really saved the day,” he said while speaking with60 Minutes.

In the aftermath, he said that only two homes in the neighborhood survived the blaze, including his brother’s.

“I think this is our new reality,” Fennessy said, according to KABC. “This house-to-house, these urban conflagrations, we’re going start seeing them more and more.”

As of Friday, Jan. 17, the Eaton Fire, which is currently 65% contained, has left 16 people dead and burned over 14,000 acres,CAL Firereported.

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source: people.com