Fires are still raging in Los Angeles. Those whose houses did not burn down help those who are left without homes. Poles take part in aid campaigns, organize collections and donate gifts.
Some people managed to save literally a few things. – I grabbed my purse, cats, laptop and passports. When I left the house and wanted to take the cats to the trunk, I thought I would come back for something, but I already saw such black clouds over the building that there was no point in returning. My building is completely burned down, there is nothing left – says Mrs. Anna, a Pole living in California.
Alicja Bachleda-CuruÅ›, a Polish actress living in California, also had to leave her home. – When a fire broke out near me in the Hollywood Hills, my first instinct, as soon as the fire was nearby, was to sprinkle the grass, the garden, the house. But then it's just an escape, says the actress.
Help was immediately provided to people who often lost their entire life's work, supported by the local church.
– People bring gifts to the Polish library in the form of various things, the simplest, most necessary ones, clothes, and some hygienic products. The diocese also announces a plan to help fire victims and all victims, says Fr. MirosÅ‚aw Frankowski, parish priest of Our Lady of Jasna Góra in Los Angeles.
Fighting wildfires in CaliforniaReuters
Mobilization among Poles
Poles living in the area also mobilized and organized collections throughout the area. – Children's books, toys, clothes for children, towels and mainly cosmetics – says one of the Polish women.
In one of the places where the donations arrive, Marcin Wrona, a reporter from “Fakty” TVN, met Mona May – a costume designer working in Hollywood. – I'm so glad that people are helping each other in this terrible moment. Everyone brings gifts, even computers, everything really. It's amazing that in such a huge city, where you think you don't know anyone, not even your neighbors, it is so beautiful – admits the costume designer.
There are also first estimates of the scale of losses. There is talk of billions of dollars, but there are already doubts about what the payments will look like. – We will definitely not get back what we had – admits Mr. Tomasz, a Pole living in California.
According to local authorities, the fire in Hearst is 89 percent contained, in Eaton – 27 percent and in Palisades – only 13 percent. At least 15,300 hectares of land have already burned down.
Main photo source: TVN24