Part 3/9:
A heart-wrenching story emerged from the ashes of these fires, involving a mother’s desperate attempt to save her son. Shelly Sykes recounted the devastating loss of her 32-year-old son, Rory, who had cerebral palsy. As fire engulfed their Malibu estate, she was left with a haunting choice—whether to leave her disabled son to seek help or stay by his side amidst the encroaching flames. Tragically, the lack of available water in fire hydrants hindered rescue efforts, leading to the loss of life when Rory succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning. This story is a stark reminder of the broader implications of systemic failures and the need for better emergency response.