A Year Later: A Family Remembers the Firefighters Who Saved Their Precious Keepsakes in the Palisades Fire
Westwood Firefighters Rescue Family Keepsakes Amid Pacific Palisades Blaze
In January, a family in Pacific Palisades faced a devastating loss as flames swept through their home. However, thanks to the quick actions of firefighters from Westwood’s Fire Station 37, some treasured keepsakes were saved, offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise catastrophic situation.
The Biren family lost their home to the Palisades Fire but managed to retain a few invaluable items, including cherished photo albums and a grandfather clock. These were recovered by firefighters who bravely entered the home during the height of the blaze.
“I thought it was just unbelievably incredible that the firefighters were thoughtful enough to take the few things that they could get,” said Matt Biren, reflecting on the firefighters’ efforts to salvage items from the living and dining rooms during the fire.
On January 7, 2025, images showed firefighters meticulously rescuing the family’s sentimental belongings from their Lachman Lane home. "Just trying to save some photos," one firefighter remarked, underscoring their commitment in a moment of crisis.
The Birens had evacuated their home just three hours earlier, prompted by escalating evacuation orders. Matt, who was listening to NBC4’s live coverage, recognized that the fire had affected their residence.
His son, Adam Biren, highlighted the significance of the saved items, noting, “We weren’t the digital generation where most of our photos were on iPhones or in the Cloud. And knowing that our photos were being saved was something to at least have some hope.”
Despite some minor damage to their rescued belongings, including singed photographs and the grandfather clock, the family has since relocated to Calabasas. They plan to restore the clock and add a tribute to the firefighters who saved it. “We’re going to put a picture of the firemen carrying it out right next to it,” Matt said, emphasizing their gratitude for the firefighters’ selfless act.
