Leader In Sacramento Black Community Escapes Eaton Fire, Loses Family Homes

By Robert J. Hansen | OBSERVER Staff WriterAs the flames of the Eaton Fire began to engulf the city of Altadena, home to a historic Black community, Rory Kaufman was at his sister’s house, mourning the loss of his mother, who had passed away the day after Christmas.Kaufman, his sister Robyn Kaufman, and her husband, David Whitfield, were inside the house. Due to a power outage, they were unaware of the raging inferno approaching their neighborhood. Without electricity, they had no access to evacuation alerts, warning sirens, or law enforcement assistance. Kaufman, 78, said they likely would not have survived had a neighbor not knocked on their door.“A neighbor who was going door to door told us we had to get out because of the fire,” Kaufman told The OBSERVER.The sky was red, and the inferno rolled over the hills and canyons as Kaufman watched neighbors scramble to escape. Kaufman, a Vietnam War veteran, said the scene was more terrifying than the napalm that ravaged the cities and jungles of Vietnam.By 7 p.m. on Jan. 9, the family had quickly packed their bags. Within 10 minutes, they were on the road searching for a hotel. After four hours of looking...