Altadena residents with homes left standing after the Eaton Fire say they’re suffering its toxic aftermath and struggling to get support to clean up.
Eaton Fire Residents United, a group of Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and Altadena renters and homeowners, was created to “advocate for thorough testing, clear remediation guidelines, insurance accountability, and resources for all impacted residents,” according to its website.
Amanda Nevarez is a group member and told KNX News’ Nataly Tavidian that dozens have tested their homes..
“We were hoping by testing…that we were going to find safety,” she said. “So it's not that we were looking for the bad things, we were hoping that it was gonna be safe and that our neighbors are gonna be safe.”
She said they have found lingering toxins like lead and asbestos and convincing government agencies and insurance companies that their homes are not safe is a challenge.
“We know that these affect people in ways in which it's gonna be not just a burden on them, but it's gonna be a burden on the healthcare system and on the taxpayers,” she said. “So, this is not just a short-term thing. This is gonna be a long-term issue that we're gonna be dealing with. Nobody's looking forward. Everybody's just looking for the right now.”
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You can check out the group’s page HERE.
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