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A Hollywood Hills resident has captured the Internet’s attention after giving an emotional interview amid the devastating LA wildfires.
Thousands of Californians are without homes as the unforgiving wave of wildfires continue to sweep LA. But one local man is standing his ground — because unlike some very rich celebs, his Hollywood Hills condo is all he has.
In an interview with NBCLA on Wednesday, the resident, who identified himself only as Lawrence, told the news outlet what was going through his mind as he attempted to hose down the sidewalks and foliage surrounding his building:
“Oh my gosh. This is my whole life right here. I spent my whole life savings to get my condo here.”
This is the unfortunate reality SO many Californians are faced with right now. Having to abandon the houses they turned into homes with their families and pray they don’t get burned down. But for Lawrence, it all hits a bit harder because he has no family. He heartbreakingly revealed:
“I lost my family during COVID and so I don’t really have anybody to call or anything so it feels a little bit scary.”
That’s SO sad.
Related: Adam Brody, Anna Faris, Eugene Levy, & More Stars Whose Homes Were Destroyed In The Devastating California Wildfires
As for his neighbors, he revealed:
“A lot of people have left but a lot of people are staying, too. I think we’re going to be okay. I hope so. I mean, all these fire trucks are going up there but you never know. All these mansions right here? If they catch on fire we’re in real trouble.”
Terrifying.
He plans to stay put for as long as possible. He told the news outlet:
“I’m going to stay right until it catches on fire. If it catches on fire, I’ll leave. I have my two bengal cats in here, they’re freaking out. I have to take them with me but I don’t know where I would go. Just in my car, I guess … I’m ready to go. I’ve been working on this condo since I bought it, every piece of it. I was almost ready to start renting it and then it’s like now — it’s okay, it’s going to be okay.”
See his full interview (below):
The clip, which has since gone viral on TikTok, has a tight hold on netizens’ hearts. In the comments, they wrote things like:
“Lawrence, god bless you. I’m so sorry.”
“Oh lord may you protect Lawrence”
“I can’t take this”
“I wanna hug him :(((“
“oh Lawrence, I hope you get to safety.”
“we love u bengal cat daddy lawrence plz stay safe”
One user even offered up their home in Oregon to the Cali resident:
“Lawrence, please take care of you & your bengals. Be safe! We live in Oregon if you need a temp. place to stay.”
Awww.
Other users are hoping to hear an update. But as of now, there hasn’t been one. But we’ll keep our eyes peeled.
Our hearts remain with everyone affected by the unrelenting wildfires in LA.
[Images via NBCLA/YouTube & MEGA/WENN]
English (US) ·