Elderly Woman Left Behind in Senior Facility During Eaton Fire Rescued by Son

The Terrifying Experience

A man recalled the frightening moment he rushed to save his elderly mother before the Eaton Fire destroyed her senior living facility.

The Incident

When the deadly fires ignited on January 7, Dorothy Benesh, 96, was residing at The Terraces at Park Marino in Altadena. Her son, Jim Benesh, lives nearby and said his worried mother called him after fire alarms went off in the facility. She was left alone in her room and was told someone would come back to retrieve her.

The Concerns Grow

However, Jim said as time went by, it was clear no one was coming back for his mother. His calls to the building’s main phone line went unanswered. As the wildfire continued growing, Jim grew increasingly concerned and knew he had to step in.

The Rescue

Jim quickly got into his car and began the dangerous drive over, maneuvering through heavy smoke that was obstructing his vision and the many roadblocks and fallen debris on the streets before arriving at the facility. He made his way up to his mother’s room, with the only source of light emanating from the bright flames outside. Racing against the clock, Jim scrambled to his mother’s room and found her apartment door closed.

“She was sitting on the couch with the fire outside,” Jim recalled. “I said, ‘Mom, we have to get out of here!’”

The Aftermath

They made their way downstairs and safely exited the burning property. The building was eventually destroyed by the fire.

The Investigation

Jim said when he asked facility workers why his mother was left behind, he was told, “They thought she was evacuated with everybody else.” He said it was nearly three hours before the staff reached out to see whether his mother was with him. Jim believes stronger safety measures and protocols should be in place during emergencies at nursing homes and senior living facilities.

Conclusion

The incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and communication in senior living facilities. While the facility’s president and CEO, Adam Khalifa, claims that the staff followed the facility’s disaster plan, Jim’s experience suggests that more can be done to ensure the safety of residents, especially the most vulnerable ones like his mother.

FAQs

Q: What happened to Dorothy Benesh during the Eaton Fire?

A: She was left behind in her room at The Terraces at Park Marino senior living facility.

Q: How did Jim Benesh respond to his mother’s situation?

A: He rushed to the facility, navigated through heavy smoke and debris, and rescued his mother.

Q: What is being done to investigate the incident?

A: The California Department of Social Services is investigating The Terraces at Park Marino, along with the nearby Monte Cedro Senior Living facility, where two women were reportedly left behind and later rescued by sheriff’s deputies.