A family photo, once a simple memento, now holds deep sentimental value for former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. The photo, taken at the wedding of her aunt and uncle, was the only piece of their past saved when wildfires tore through Los Angeles, destroying their Altadena home of 60 years.
William and Minnie Washington, Lightfoot’s relatives, had to evacuate in the dead of night as flames engulfed their neighborhood early Wednesday. Among the countless structures reduced to ash were their most cherished belongings, including their wedding album—now lost forever.
Lightfoot shared the heartbreaking story, highlighting the irreplaceable memories that were left behind in the rush to escape. “It’s all gone,” she lamented, the weight of the loss evident in her words. The fires ravaging the region have displaced thousands, leaving families like the Washingtons with nothing but the fleeting remnants of their past.
In the wake of the disaster, Lightfoot’s family joins the tens of thousands of people affected by the devastating fires, which have consumed homes and livelihoods across the area. As authorities work to contain the flames, many are left grappling with the emotional toll of losing a lifetime of memories to the relentless force of nature.
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