Airport Fire victims speak out after losing Southern California home

The Airport Fire has now destroyed over 150 structures in Riverside and Orange counties, and is only 19% contained.

Two victims are speaking out after they lost everything within a matter of hours.

“I just didn’t have any time,” said Charlie Hoey. He and his wife, Nikki Hoey, narrowly escaped the flames coming over the ridge into Riverside County.

“The weather changed, it literally turned into a fire hurricane and I can’t even imagine being stuck in that so I’m glad I got out of there,” said Charlie.

The couple had less than an hour to pack and evacuate their home, which was soon engulfed by the flames.

“I’m just in shock still,” said Nikki. “I don’t think I’m coping yet.”

The fire, still burning over 23,000 acres as of Sunday afternoon, has destroyed dozens of homes in the Hoey’s neighborhood in Trabuco Canyon – where the fire originated.

“And it’s not just your stuff, but your grandparents’ stuff, your parents’ stuff, multigenerational,” shared Charlie. “I know they are things, but they’re family things.”

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