Photo: Chris Tofte (left), Fire damage in Mill City, Oregon (right). PA Images
A man who was searching for his wife in the horrific wildfires that have engulfed Oregon spoke to a badly burned woman only to realise he was speaking to his wife. She had been so severely injured by the fire that he could not recognised her. Sadly, both their 13 year old son, and the woman's 73 year old mother did not survive.
Chris Tofte told the story to the Statesman Journal and said that his wife, Angela Mosso, who was only dressed in her underwear, had her hair burned off and her face was black from soot and flame. When he told her that he had to find his wife, she responded 'I am your wife'.
The couple had split up because they had not realised the approaching wildfire would spread so rapidly. While Chris drove into town to borrow a friend's trailer, in order to transport more of their worldly possessions, Angela stayed at home to get organised. It was as Chris drove back that he could see the entire area had already been destroyed.
Angela had walked three miles before she eventually saw Chris again, where she broke the news that she was the only survivor of the family. The remains of the boy and the woman have now been recovered.
Chris and Angela released a statement saying:
"Our family is devastated by the loss of our kind-hearted 13-year-old Wyatt and his beloved grandmother Peggy in the Santiam Fire in the early morning of September 8th. Wyatt, just the sweetest little boy; loved to fish, played video games, like a lot of kids, just a very sweet polite, boy. We want to thank all emergency personnel and people who helped in the search. Our family appreciates the love and support we have received from everyone during this terrible tragedy."
Angela remains in the hospital< where she is being treated for burns and smoke inhalation.
The wildfires that have erupted across the Pacific states of California, Washington and Oregon are the largest on record, with well over 3 million hectares already destroyed. As many as 30 people in total have now also been killed, and in eery scenes, a huge orange apocalyptic glow could be seen hanging over San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.
COMMENTS