Los Angeles residents return to ashes and ruins after devastating wildfires

The City of Angels became a city of ashes this week as residents returned from fleeing the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, searching for any trace of the homes they cherished.

LOS ANGELES — The City of Angels became a city of ashes this week as residents returned from fleeing the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, searching for any trace of the homes they cherished.

But 83-year-old Walt Butler refused to give in to despair, even after surveying what remained of his home in the Altadena area and the burnt carcasses of his cars, including his prized Corvette Stingray.

“The Big Guy has been looking out for me,” Butler said Friday. A pillar of the community who raised a family, ran a successful shoe store, and helped support local youth athletic programs, he added: “It’s easy to die and living wasn’t meant to be easy.”

Butler, a former track-and-field star known as “The Jet,” said he may have lost a lifetime of mementos and the house he called home for 60 years, but he hasn’t lost his determination to keep going.

“I’m pretty much a tough guy,” Butler said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/los-angeles-fires-residents-homes-ash-ruins-rcna187162

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