RANCHO BERNARDO, Calif. --
La Mesa firefighter Dan Lachenbruch was able to save many a home this past week -- except his own.
Of all the emotional stories to emerge out of the city, Lachenbruch's is wrought with sad irony like no other.
On the fateful Sunday the fires began, he was fighting the Harris fire, unaware his own property was engulfed in flames. The firefighter said he had no idea his house was in danger until days after it had burned down, reduced to a pile of rubble.
"We [were] at the Harris Fire, it [was] burning [and] they put us in front of [it]. Lachenbruch said, "I'm a fireman -- that's what I do, and that's the job -- So finish the job."
Rummaging through what is left of his property, Lachenbruch was emotional as he saw the blackened moments of his lfe.
"I journaled for my kids since they were born -- I journaled for them and I'd love to have that stuff back," he said.
"Recognizable stuff here and then non-recognizable stuff out there," he said. " I did find a really shiny melted piece of what looked like silver."
When perusing his high school yearbook, he mused, "You can still see people's faces on here."
Neighbors, aware of his heroic efforts, placed flags alongside his lawn to show their support for the fireman.
While reduced to living in his camper, Lachenbach said that despite the massive losses, only one thing try matters to him: his children.
"That's all -- my kids are safe and that's all -- everything else is stuff."
Friends of Dan Lachenbruch have set up a bank account for him to help him get back on his feet.
Donations can be made to:
La Mesa Credit Union P.O. Box 1541 La Mesa, Calif., 91144 Account # 501831
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