Firefighting Family Reflects on Saving Altadena Neighborhood During Eaton Fire One Year Later

One year after the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena, members of the Lievense family are looking back on the night they helped save an entire neighborhood from destruction.

When the fire broke out in the early morning hours of January 8, 2025, Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Dan Lievense rushed to protect his family’s homes on Lewis Avenue. What began as a personal effort quickly became a broader mission involving his brother Matt, an LAFD engineer, and his son James, who was then training to become a firefighter.

As flames surrounded the neighborhood, 20-year-old James began fighting the fire alone using garden hoses and ladders while his father and uncle raced to reach him. Despite pleas from family members to evacuate, James stayed and worked through the night.

Once reunited, the three firefighters coordinated their efforts, creating water curtains and running through backyards to extinguish spot fires. By morning, they had helped save four homes on Lewis Avenue, ten more on Morada Place, two commercial buildings, and two apartment complexes along Lake Avenue.

Neighbors say the Lievense family’s actions made a lasting impact. Some homeowners learned their houses were spared through videos sent directly by Dan Lievense during the fire. In gratitude, residents later presented the brothers with a ceremonial axe and honored James with a medal.

A year later, the family says the experience strengthened community bonds and reinforced their commitment to service. While rebuilding continues in Altadena, neighbors say the courage shown that night will not be forgotten.

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