While Andrea Pasinetti was in San Francisco for work and his wife Sixuan was abroad Palisades Fire The blaze that broke out Tuesday devastated neighborhood after neighborhood — including his own home. Their dog sitter was stuck in the streets leading to their block, leaving the Pasinaitis' three dogs waiting at home. The flames started wreaking havoc His street, Lachman Lane.
Wracked with anxiety and not knowing the fate of his beloved pets, Pasinetti said he jumped on a flight to Los Angeles in hopes of getting home in time to get Alma, Archie and Hugo out of danger.
“In flight [Los Angeles] It was definitely very, very difficult because we had no information,” he told CBS News from a hotel room.
Pasinetti's friend picked him up with a car full of fire retardant materials and blankets in case he needed them when rescuing pets, and they headed to the Palisades. But when they were out about eight minutes, Pasinetti said they struggled to find their way with “police at most intersections.”
“It's this feeling of helplessness and devastation and also just the unknown,” he described. “Wanting to maintain hope, but also wanting to be prepared for the worst.”
Speaking on the phone with his wife, Pasinetti said he determined there were two options they could proceed with – either he found a way to get home, or someone else needed a way. Then Sixuan saw CBS News's Jonathan Vgliotti reporting from Palisades Charter High School, a short distance from his residence.
“We started racking our brains to see if we knew anyone who could contact Jonathan, and we were tweeting at him and eventually we found a friend and co-worker of his who was able to contact him through Was able to get a message from,'' Pasinetti said.
That colleague was CBS News producer Christian Duran, and the two-man team decided to help head to the house which, according to Pasinetti, was “on its last legs”, despite the risk.
“We knew it was a big task to get all three dogs out of the house,” he said. “Apparently, Jonathan didn't have a key to the house, so I told him to break whatever window he could and he managed to get into the house.”
Alma, Archie and Hugo are rescue dogs, and as a result, “pre-wired with a lot of anxiety,” Pasinetti explained. All three of them were likely in different areas of the house, he said – Alma right at the entrance and Hugo possibly under a bed, potentially making rescue more difficult.
“They managed to quarrel [Alma] Somehow and I think they threw a blanket over him and covered him, then they went to the other pup, Archie,” he said. “I think they had to lift the bed in the primary bedroom and take Hugo out “
Pasinetti added, “The circumstances probably could not have been more dramatic. The house was engulfed in flames.” “I think it burned up a few hours after I was able to bring the puppies over.”
Pasinetti said he almost couldn't believe it when he learned all three had been rescued from the home safely.
He said, “I have never felt such a mixture of happiness, relief, exhaustion, disappointment and gratitude towards anyone.” “The generosity, kindness and risk they took to get the dogs was really — I think it's the best thing for humanity.”
The Pasinaitis still have a long road to go, he said — picking up the pieces of the lost home, something they haven't even had the opportunity to understand yet. The Palisades fire has almost destroyed 23,000 acres And continues to burn with little prevention.
Pasinetti said the experience reminded him of what is important in life.
“I think we collect a lot of stuff in life and handle our stuff, but at the end of the day, it's all stuff – and although it's sad to lose it, I think the chances of losing something more important And the possibilities, simply put, keep it in perspective,” he shared.
Pasinetti also emphasized that he is grateful for the efforts that first responders and firefighters worked tirelessly to save lives and homes. That night, amid the chaos, a firefighter even offered to take him to his home, he said.
“I think all the accolades and all the commentary on firefighters and first responders are really very well deserved and they put themselves in harm's way to try to save what they could,” he said. “They were kind of in the line of fire, literally, often for hours and days without water.”