Altadena Couple Still Fighting for Insurance Coverage One Year After Eaton Fire

One year after the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena, a California couple says they are still fighting their insurance company to make their home safe to live in.

Tim Szwarc and his wife, Claire Thompson, evacuated their Altadena home on the night of January 7, 2025, after seeing flames advancing down the hillside behind their neighborhood. Although there was no official evacuation order at the time, the couple chose to leave as a precaution, expecting to return within hours.

They have not spent a single night back in their home since.

While their house remained standing after the fire, the couple later learned that it was contaminated by toxic substances released when hundreds of nearby structures and vehicles burned. In June 2025, testing conducted by an industrial hygienist firm revealed elevated levels of lead, beryllium, and other harmful metals inside the home, including in walls, clothing, and family heirlooms.

Beryllium, a known carcinogen, is not typically associated with wildfire smoke but is becoming more common as fires increasingly burn through urban areas filled with manufactured materials.

Szwarc and Thompson say their insurance company has questioned the findings and has yet to send its own industrial hygienist to evaluate the property, despite previously saying it would do so. The couple says their primary concern is ensuring proper remediation so the home can be safely occupied.

The nonprofit organization Department of Angels, which was formed after the Los Angeles-area fires, reports that many fire victims in Altadena and Pacific Palisades are facing similar struggles. Common complaints include poor communication from insurers and coverage estimates that fall short of actual cleanup and repair costs.

For Szwarc and Thompson, the ongoing uncertainty has taken an emotional toll. They say they are not seeking special treatment, only the coverage they paid for through their insurance premiums.

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