Family arrives at shelter in pajamas

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Lake Arrowhead:

Yvette Page, 43, and her extended family of eight fled from their Lake Arrowhead home after awakening at 5 a.m. to the smell of smoke and the glow of flames illuminating her windows. She said she screamed at the ‘top of my lungs’ and everyone in the home -- including a pregnant daughter and grandchildren -- ran, grabbing only the family cat, five kittens and computer discs holding precious digital photos.

Her husband David, 47, and son-in-law James Gronley, who could not fit in the family car, volunteered to stay behind to look after the house. By late afternoon, Page had not been able to reach them and said she was extremely worried, even though David had vowed to leave should fire threaten their home, which was valued at $700,000, she said.

She and the rest of the family spent seven hours winding their way down the mountain, first directed to one shelter then another, finally ending up at a Red Cross shelter at the National Orange Show fairgrounds -- all still in their pajamas - at the National Orange Show Fairgrounds.

She was trying to reach her insurance company to determine if it would cover a stay in a motel or hotel. Page was having breathing problems and her pregnant daughter had fallen down the stairs at home in the early morning darkness. ‘I dont know if the fire was chasing us or if we were chasing it,’ said Page, with a bitter laugh. ‘Now that we’re here safe it’s just starting to sink in how scary the situation really could be.’

About 700 people had registered at the shelter late afternoon. Most were from the Twin Lakes community near Lake Arrowhead. Red Cross officials said full capacity at the fairgrounds was 2,000. An animal shelter was also available and people were toting in dogs, cats and other pets. The refugees were largely calm despite worrying about their homes, and seemed resigned to potentially a long stay. Outside, children laughed and played even as an overlay of thick smoke enveloped the fairgrounds.

-- Francisco Vara Orta