Illinois man, family lose everything in devastating Palisades Fire

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. - Fred Ufkes, who grew up downstate and works for a law firm in Chicago, is grappling with the aftermath of losing everything in the Palisades fire in California.

The fire began less than a mile from Ufkes' home in Pacific Palisades, leaving his family with only minutes to decide what to take. They grabbed their pets, essential documents, and irreplaceable family photos.

As they evacuated, Ufkes captured photos of the smoke and flames consuming his neighborhood. He reported that most homes in his area, including Las Casas Loop and the Alphabet Streets, have been destroyed. 

Churches, gas stations, and grocery stores have been reduced to ashes.

Ufkes has not been able to return home and is struggling to envision how to rebuild after such a significant loss.

"I'm 67 years old and for the first time in my life, I'm homeless. Never had to experience that before. I've got a wife, I've got two sons, I've got a dog, I've got a cat. I don't know where I'm going. I don't know if I can go back. Even if I do, I don't know what's there. So I'm just going to have to live with what I've got, learn to live with what's going to happen, be willing to take every day as it comes and not expect too much out of myself and those that I love," Ufkes said.

For now, Ufkes and his family are staying with friends near Los Angeles International Airport. 

He expressed gratitude for the kindness of others and said small moments with his loved ones are helping them endure this difficult time.