A Story of Courage, Kindness, and Gratitude
In the face of devastation, moments of kindness can shine through. Los Angeles firefighters and a grateful homeowner proved this when an unexpected bond formed during the catastrophic Palisades Fire. Mahsa Naghash, who was forced to evacuate her Pacific Palisades home on January 7, expressed her gratitude to firefighters in a way that deeply touched their hearts.
A Devastating Fire Forces Families to Flee
The Palisades Fire, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, rapidly spread on January 7, destroying thousands of structures. As 60 to 80 mph gusts pushed the flames through neighborhoods, many residents had no choice but to flee. Video footage captured the destruction, showing homes engulfed in flames, including a neighbor’s house near Naghash’s property.
Despite the chaos, Naghash wanted to show her appreciation for the firefighters risking their lives to protect her home and others. Before evacuating, she gifted them a hand-crafted tile she had purchased from a historic mosque in her home country of Iran.
“I told them there’s something, just to say thank you. That’s it,” Naghash explained.
Firefighters Deeply Moved by a Simple Gift
For LAFD firefighter-paramedic Andrew Mott, the gesture meant more than Naghash could have imagined.
“Her kindness and generosity just touched our hearts in a very special way,” Mott said.
Firefighters on the front lines of the Palisades Fire faced some of the most extreme conditions of their careers. The intensity of the wind and fire made the situation feel almost impossible to control.
“It was unbelievable, truly. To experience that level of wind, that speed of wind, with a fire behind it,” said LAFD firefighter-paramedic Tony Verdecia. “We are the people supposed to be bringing a solution, and there was a feeling of… we’re not able to.”
A Home Damaged, But Still Standing
Naghash and her husband returned days later, unsure of what they would find. Their home had been damaged, but it was still standing—an outcome that seemed unlikely when they had evacuated. But what touched them even more was a handwritten note left on their door.
The note read:
“Hello, This note is from Andrew and Tony, the 2 firemen you met, and gifted the tile to. We came back to check on you and your home. We are thankful to see the main portion of your home is ok. I’m sorry about the loss in the backyard. We hope you are safe and doing ok. If you like to stay in touch, feel free to reach out. Respectfully, Andrew and Tony with the LA City Fire Department.”
An Emotional Response to a Selfless Act
Naghash was overwhelmed with gratitude upon reading the note.
“I don’t know how to describe my feeling, to be honest with you. I don’t know what to say,” she said. “If I want to start talking, I can’t stop crying. They risked their lives. God bless them.”
The story of Naghash’s gesture and the firefighters’ response reached NBCLA, which tracked down Mott and Verdecia with the help of social media. When the firefighters saw the news segment about Naghash’s experience, they, too, became emotional.
“We watched that news segment… and it hit us both,” Verdecia said. “We were tearing up.”
For Mott, the tile held personal significance. He had visited Iran several times and described those experiences as life-changing.
An Ongoing Friendship Born From Tragedy
Despite the chaos of that night, Mott and Verdecia made a point to return the next day to leave their heartfelt note. Verdecia reflected on the significance of Naghash’s gesture.
“In a moment when there’s so much destruction all around us, and she’s on the brink of losing her family’s home, she thinks, ‘Let me bless them with a gift,'” he said.
The connection they formed during those difficult moments has now extended beyond the fire. The firefighters and their families plan to get together with the Naghash family for dinner in the coming months, solidifying a bond that started with an act of kindness amid disaster.
“I felt like I really couldn’t do enough in that moment to really say thank you,” Mott said. “So it really sat heavy on Tony and my heart. We just wanted to take that extra effort to return that generosity and return that kindness.”
The Toll of the Palisades Fire
As of Thursday, the Palisades Fire had burned 23,400 acres and was 72% contained. It destroyed 6,770 structures and damaged about 900 more. Tragically, 28 deaths have been confirmed, including casualties from the Eaton Fire in Altadena, which ignited on the same night.
Amid the devastation of the Palisades Fire, the story of Mahsa Naghash and the firefighters who protected her home is a reminder of the power of gratitude and human connection. While her home was damaged, the kindness she showed in a moment of crisis created a lasting impact. In turn, the firefighters went above and beyond, returning to check on her home and offering their support.
As both families plan to reunite over dinner, their story proves that even in the darkest times, small acts of kindness can forge unbreakable bonds.
