Local News

Los Angeles fire captain loses home in Eaton Fire

A captain with the Los Angeles Fire Department and his family are heartbroken after losing their home to the Eaton Fire.

Capt. Al Hugo, a 32-year veteran of the department, lived in his Altadena home with his wife, Carmen, for 20 years.

As the Eaton Fire ignited on Jan. 7, the fast-moving blaze eventually reached Hugo’s neighborhood.

He and his wife quickly evacuated with their four dogs, leaving their belongings behind. Although wildfires have threatened his community before, he said the flames had never reached his neighborhood until now.

The next day, the family learned their home was completely destroyed by the fire.

“It was surreal,” Hugo said. “It’s painful because you’ve [spent] a lot of time there. I’ve been there for 20 years so I got a lot of memories and a lot of mementos that we lost, but I’m just thankful that my family and my pets are good.”

  • Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Al Hugo and his wife, Carmen Hugo, are seen in a family photo. (Hugo Family)
  • The Hugo family's home after it was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. (GoFundMe)
  • The Hugo family's Altadena home before the fire. (GoFundMe)
  • The Hugo family's home after it was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. (KTLA)
  • The Hugo family's home after it was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. (KTLA)
  • The Hugo family's home after it was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. (KTLA)
  • Al Hugo and his wife speak to KTLA's Jennifer McGraw in Altadena on Jan. 14, 2025. (KTLA)
  • The Hugo family's home after it was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. (KTLA)
  • Al Hugo speaks to KTLA's Jennifer McGraw in Altadena on Jan. 14, 2025. (KTLA)

Despite working to save others, Hugo and his family lost everything. As they work to determine their next steps, he’s thankful his family wasn’t injured and is urging anyone who is able to help victims, to do so.

“My story is not unique, we’re one of many,” he said. “We’re proud, but we need help. Not just myself, but everyone else.”

He loves the Altadena community and said he’s touched by how everyone has been stepping up to help each other. 

“The city’s resilient,” he said. “It’s a close-knit community and we’re going to stick together. And from what I’ve heard from the people I’ve talked to, they want to rebuild.”

Hugo comes from a family of first responders with his twin brother working as a firefighter for L.A. County and his youngest son serving as a firefighter for the city of L.A.

A GoFundMe page to help the Hugo Family rebuild can be found here.

As of Tuesday night, the Eaton Fire remains at 14,117 acres with 35% containment. Over 7,000 structures and homes were damaged or destroyed and at least 25 people have been killed between the Eaton and Palisades Fire which both ignited on the same day.

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