Father and son who used wheelchairs die in Los Angeles fire while awaiting rescue: NPR
Anthony Mitchell Sr., pictured above, helps his son Justin, who has cerebral palsy, practice reading by flipping through newspapers. Two people died in the Eaton fire.
Anthony Mitchell Jr.
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Anthony Mitchell Jr.
A week before the California wildfires, Anthony Mitchell Sr. told his son Anthony Mitchell Jr. that what he cherished most in his life was not money or property, but his family.
Those words have been with young Anthony ever since he found out his father and brother Justin were killed in the Eaton fire last week. The fire is still burning and has become the deadliest fire of the outbreak. As of Monday, at least 16 people had died.
“He believed in family, and I think that's one of the reasons why he paid with his life, because he wouldn't leave my brother,” Anthony Jr. told NPR.
On the morning of Jan. 8, Anthony Sr. called his son and other children to let them know he was awaiting assistance to evacuate himself and Justin. Anthony Sr. is an amputee, and his son Justin has cerebral palsy. According to Anthony Jr., they both use wheelchairs.
But as hours passed, Anthony Jr. said he received a call from another family member saying his father and brother had not evacuated. The family is still seeking more information about the deaths of Anthony Sr. and Justin.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department did not immediately respond to NPR's request for more information about the incident.
Young Anthony said he knew why his father stayed.
“Even though he lost a leg, he did have a prosthetic. He could have been in a wheelchair and he could have rolled himself out of the fire zone, but he wouldn't have left my brother,” he said. “There was no way my father would leave him. He wouldn't leave any of his children.”
Anthony Sr. worked in sales and lived in the Altadena area for more than twenty years. He is a skilled smoker, capable of smoking anything from fish to ribs. He enjoyed cooking for others and hosting large gatherings at his home for his loved ones.
His determination for his family was always evident. Anthony Jr. said that even after his parents divorced, his father remained involved in his life. “If he found out I was having a problem at school, my dad would show up and meet with the principal,” he said.
Anthony Sr.'s daughter, Hajime White, also said her father was a devoted parent. “He always told me, 'I would do anything for you,'” she told NPR. “He said, 'You ask me to jump, and I say, how high?'”
White also recalled that her father would help Justine practice reading and speaking by reading newspapers together.
“When Justin gets the newspaper, he also has to read certain parts of it,” she said.
Recently, Anthony Jr. recalled talking with his father about all the exciting New Year's plans, including a possible trip to Japan to visit Anthony Jr.'s son and hosting a barbecue for Fourth of July.
“We're making every preparation to bring a big family together,” he said.
NPR's Kira Wakeam also reports.
More information about California wildfires
Resources to help stay safe:
➡️As fire danger remains high, authorities kindly ask that you comply with evacuation orders
➡️ What to do and what not to do after returning home after a fire evacuation
➡️Do you have cigarettes at home? Here's How to Make an Air Purifier from a Box Fan
➡️Trying to stay safe during wildfires? There's an app that can help
Supported response and recovery methods:
➡️Want to help fire victims? Here's what experts say is the most beneficial place and where to find volunteers
➡️ Wildfire Donation and Volunteering: How and Where to Help
➡️Share: These are the steps fire victims need to take to make an insurance claim
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