KTLA

Private Fire Crews Hired by CA’s Privileged Draw Complaints From Regular Firefighters

The Woolsey Fire approaches homes on Nov. 9, 2018 in Malibu. (Credit: David McNew/Getty Images)

When the Woolsey fire swept into the exclusive neighborhood of Bell Canyon, resident Yen Hsieh grabbed her late music teacher’s 200-year-old cello, some belongings and her son’s betta fish Sparky and fled, not sure whether her home would be destroyed.

More than 30 homes in the gated Ventura County community were lost, but Hsieh’s survived. Bell Canyon was protected by both county firefighters and a private crew covered by her homeowner’s insurance policy.

Hsieh said it’s not clear which of the firefighters — private or publicly funded — were responsible for saving her home, but she’s grateful.

“I just want to hug every one of them,” she said.

Read the full story on LATimes.com.



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