Pete Villani, a Los Angeles cinematographer, is being celebrated as a hero after his quick and courageous actions saved eight homes in the Altadena neighborhood from the destructive Eaton fire.
Villani, known for his work on major films like Spider-Man 3 and Rush Hour 3, faced the flames head-on armed with nothing more than a garden hose.
“When I arrived here, the back of my house was on fire,” Villani told CBS News. “I got out the hose … I put my yard out. Then I went over here to my neighbor’s house, and the fence was on fire … I put that out.”
His bravery didn’t stop there. After briefly leaving the neighborhood, he returned to find the fire threatening more homes. Villani acted immediately, extinguishing flames in several yards.
“One neighbor’s backyard was on fire, and the fence was on fire,” Villani recounted, gesturing toward the homes he saved. “Eleanor arrived home and helped me put out another blaze in a neighbor’s yard. Throwing water in with a scoop, we put that house out.”
For ten hours, Villani battled the fire, using his garden hose until the water pressure ran out. His efforts not only extinguished active fires but also prevented the blaze from spreading further. He even scared off would-be looters attempting to take advantage of the chaos.
“That is PETE VILLANI and he saved our home. We love you Pete!!!” one grateful resident wrote in the comments under the CBS report.
Another commenter shared, “This used to be my neighbor, the first house he pointed to is the house I grew up in. Pete is exactly the type of man to try and help to the fullest extent. Amazing story.”
One woman added, “He saved my son’s home!”
Villani’s selfless actions have not only earned him the gratitude of his neighbors but also highlighted the power of community resilience in times of crisis.
While officials continue to assess the damage caused by the Eaton blaze, there’s no doubt Villani’s efforts prevented greater devastation, proving that one person’s courage can make a world of difference.
American Faith