Quincy native lost ‘everything’ after Los Angeles wildfires destroy home
ByBoston 25 News Staff
O'Toole Family
ByBoston 25 News Staff
As the Santa Ana winds have calmed, a Los Angeles family with Bay State roots is adjusting to a new reality - and the loss of memories and keepsakes tying the family back to Massachusetts.
William O’Toole, his wife Lindsay and four-year-old daughter Leighton were able to safely escape the raging Los Angeles wildfires that have killed at least two dozen people and destroyed thousands of buildings.
But the family found out through news footage that their home would not be there when they returned.
William, who was born and raised in Quincy, told Boston 25 News that he lost “everything” in the inferno, including precious keepsakes of his childhood on the South Shore.
“It’s childhood memories. It’s school t-shirts from 8th grade. My wife had dance videos from her childhood. My daughter has art,” Will emotionally described to Boston 25 News. “We lost all her artwork. It’s stuff like that. It’s tough.”
William’s
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California wildfires PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Araxy Manookian receives a hug in front of her home which was destroyed in the Eaton Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 11, 2025 in Pasadena, California. She has lived there since 1997. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. Reportedly at least 10 people have died with over 180,000 people having been under evacuation orders. Over 9,000 structures have been damaged or burned while more than more than 25,000 acres were burning from the fires. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
California wildfires LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Firefighters pull a hose up a hill as they battle the Palisades Fire on January 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The Palisades fire had grown to over 22,000 acres and has destroyed thousands of homes. The fire is currently 11 percent contained. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
California wildfires LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 12: A fire fighter from Woodland Hills searches for hotspots in a burned home at Pacific Coast Highway on January 12, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are still burning across Los Angeles County while some containment has been achieved. At least 16 people have died and over 100,000 people are still under evacuation orders. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed in the fires. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images) (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
California wildfires LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 12: Fire fighters from Woodland Hills searches for hotspots in a burned home at Pacific Coast Highway on January 12, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are still burning across Los Angeles County while some containment has been achieved. At least 16 people have died and over 100,000 people are still under evacuation orders. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed in the fires. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images) (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
California wildfires PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: A person walks past the remains of senior living facility which was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 11, 2025 in Pasadena, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. Reportedly at least 10 people have died with over 180,000 people having been under evacuation orders. Over 9,000 structures have been damaged or burned while more than more than 25,000 acres were burning from the fires. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
California wildfires LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 12: A car and homes burned by the Palisades Fire are seen on January 12, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are still burning across Los Angeles County while some containment has been achieved. At least 16 people have died and over 100,000 people are still under evacuation orders. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed in the fires. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images) (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
California wildfires PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Congregants search through the remains of Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, which served Pasadena for over 100 years and was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 11, 2025 in Pasadena, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. Reportedly at least 10 people have died with over 180,000 people having been under evacuation orders. Over 9,000 structures have been damaged or burned while more than more than 25,000 acres were burning from the fires. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
California wildfires PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Congregants walk through the remains Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, which was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 11, 2025 in Pasadena, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. Reportedly at least 10 people have died with over 180,000 people having been under evacuation orders. Over 9,000 structures have been damaged or burned while more than more than 25,000 acres were burning from the fires. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
California wildfires PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Congregants search through the remains of Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, which served Pasadena for over 100 years and was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 11, 2025 in Pasadena, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. Reportedly at least 10 people have died with over 180,000 people having been under evacuation orders. Over 9,000 structures have been damaged or burned while more than more than 25,000 acres were burning from the fires. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
California wildfires PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Araxy Manookian stands in front of her home which was destroyed in the Eaton Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 11, 2025 in Pasadena, California. She has lived there since 1997. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. Reportedly at least 10 people have died with over 180,000 people having been under evacuation orders. Over 9,000 structures have been damaged or burned while more than more than 25,000 acres were burning from the fires. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
California wildfires LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 12: An FBI agent investigates illegal drone activity around the Palisades Fire area on January 12, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are still burning across Los Angeles County while some containment has been achieved. At least 16 people have died and over 100,000 people are still under evacuation orders. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed in the fires. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images) (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
California wildfires PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Congregants search through the remains of Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, which served Pasadena for over 100 years and was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 11, 2025 in Pasadena, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. Reportedly at least 10 people have died with over 180,000 people having been under evacuation orders. Over 9,000 structures have been damaged or burned while more than more than 25,000 acres were burning from the fires. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
California wildfires LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 12: Fire fighters spray water and soap to eliminate hotspots in a wooden wall next to the Getty Vllage Museum on January 12, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are still burning across Los Angeles County while some containment has been achieved. At least 16 people have died and over 100,000 people are still under evacuation orders. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed in the fires. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images) (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
California wildfires LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11 : A National Guard officer closes a street enforcing a curfew in evacuation order zones and evacuation warning zones from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM as wildfires cause damage and loss through LA region on January 11, 2025 in Santa Monica, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. Reportedly at least 10 people have died with over 180,000 people having been under evacuation orders. Over 9,000 structures have been damaged or burned while more than more than 25,000 acres were burning from the fires. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images) (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
California wildfires LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 12: A Mercedes-Benz and homes burned by the Palisades Fire on January 12, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are still burning across Los Angeles County while some containment has been achieved. At least 16 people have died and over 100,000 people are still under evacuation orders. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed in the fires. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images) (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
California wildfires LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 12: An FBI agent investigates illegal drone activity around the Palisades Fire area on January 12, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are still burning across Los Angeles County while some containment has been achieved. At least 16 people have died and over 100,000 people are still under evacuation orders. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed in the fires. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images) (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
hometown of Quincy voiced their support for the displaced family.
“For the past decade, Bill and Lindsay have poured their hearts into building a business that helps children with learning difficulties gain confidence and success both in and outside the classroom. Their work has touched the lives of countless children, and they are incredibly proud of what they have built together. Born and raised in Quincy, Bill’s first job was delivering The Patriot Ledger and The Quincy Sun newspapers, before going on to serve as aQuincy Rec Leader,” Quincy city officials said in a statement. “Bill’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to helping others led him to the life he has today, a life filled with passion, purpose, and deep community connections.”
A red flag warning will remain in effect until Wednesday, The Washington Post reported.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the crews will be ready with 70 additional water trucks being called in and fire retardant dropped on hillsides.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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