Small business owner still in shock after losing ‘everything’ in LA fires

By Ben Barry

A dad who set up his own business after moving to the US in 2008 says he's lost "everything" in the Palisades wildfires - including his business.

Edvard Ohanian, 50, set up his company - Altadena Auto Center - alongside his wife, 53, in 2013.

On January 7, Edvard closed his business at 5 p.m. when his children called to say they had no power at home.

When he got back, Edvard could see the flames from the Eaton fire roughly five miles away but didn't think it would spread through his neighborhood of Altadena, California.

But at 3 a.m. his family woke up to a house filled with smoke and they were forced to flee - with some clothes and their dog.

The following day on Jan. 8, Edvard received a video from his landlord showing the devastation caused to his business - which was destroyed.

Edvard, his wife and three children, aged 19 and 23, say they have "lost everything" and are staying with family until they can return home.

Edvard said: "I am still in shock, I don't know what is going to happen in the future.

"I have been calling to see who can help me but there is no promise yet.

"There are so many things I have to pay for, I need help as soon as possible so I can continue my life until I figure out what to do.

"I would never wish this situation on anyone, there are so many people who need help.

"This is the time when humans should come together and help each other.

"Even a small help can bring a smile to someone."

Edvard moved to the US from Iran with his family in 2008.

In January 2013, he started Altadena Auto Center - buying and selling quality cars.

He said: "This used to be a family business we came to the US from Iran in 2008, we came to the state and started working here.

"I started the business in 2013, my goal was to sell and buy quality cars."

On Jan. 7, Edvard locked up his business and got a call from his daughter saying the power had gone out.

He said he could see the fire in the distance but never thought the fire would reach his five bedroom home.

Edvard said: "I tried to find out what was going on and turned on the news.

"My daughter said we could go and save the cars but I said the fire was too far away and it won't reach us.

"Around 3 a.m. my daughter woke me up and we evacuated as there was a lot of smoke in the house.

"We evacuated the house and sprayed it with water - luckily my house is OK, but it has smoke damage."

The following day, on Jan. 8, Edvard got a call from his landlord and asked if he had seen the business and was sent a video of the devastation the fire left behind.

He said: "When he sent me the video, I wasn't able to breathe.

"My wife and I didn't know what to do.

"We have lost everything, I just don't know what is going to happen in the future."

Since the fire destroyed the family business, Edvard's daughter launched a GoFundMe to raise money and help the family get back on their feet.