Firefighter on Firelines Loses Own Home

Firefighter on Firelines Loses Own Home

STOCKTON, CA - From his mother's home in Stockton, firefighter Robert Crowder is absorbing his losses from the 49 Fire that destroyed all of his belongings.

"I lost all my photos, everything I've had my entire life, my car, my muscle car. I don't have anything," said Crowder, who got a frantic call from his roommate that their rental house was on fire. It happened Sunday when the wildfire quickly spread through an Auburn neighborhood.

At the time, Crowder, a U.S. Forest Service firefighter stationed in Forest Hill, was in the Angeles National Forest battling the Station Fire.

"I'm still a little shocked that it happened to me because I'm always there," said Crowder, referring to the numerous times he has seen properties belonging to other people burn.

Crowder is on leave for a week to get things in order before returning to work. As a fire victim, Crowder said he will have a new perspective on his job.

"I'll have more thought to it when I see someone lose their whole house, cause I'll know exactly how it feels. You really don't know what it's like until you're in the same shoes," said Crowder.

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