Express & Star

'Just happy to be alive': Black Country expat tells how his home has been devasted by the Los Angeles wildfires

A Black Country ex-pat who has lost his house in the 'devastating' wildfires which have killed 16 people in California said he and his family will have to start again.

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But Wordsley born scientist Warren Skidmore, who has lived in the US since 2002 after emigrating with his wife Isabelle has spoken of the 'tremendous support' the family have received from around the world.

Warren Skidmore with his wife Isabelle and daughters Hannah and Tessa
Warren Skidmore with his wife Isabelle and daughters Hannah and Tessa

The 54-year-old lives in Altadena, close to Eaton Canyon where the first fires started before they spread across the valley, causing mass destruction and devastation.

Warren with his wife Isabelle
Warren with his wife Isabelle

The family home where he lives with Isabelle who he met at Keele University and their two daughters Hannah, aged 18 and Tessa, aged 16 is now just a shell after the fire took hold.

The shell of the Skidmore family's former home in Altadena, California
The shell of the Skidmore family's former home in Altadena, California

Warren,  who is part of a team building a 30 feet telescope, first took refuge with his family in his office in the nearby town of Pasadena on Wednesday when they were evacuated.