“It replays in my head like a bad nightmare”: High school coach loses sister to Eaton Fire

After losing his home and his sister in the Eaton Fire, a beloved high school football coach and third-generation Altadena resident is asking his community to support each other, to fight for everything they have, and, most importantly, to stick together.

Zaire Calvin was one of the thousands of residents forced to evacuate in a flash when the Eaton Fire broke out. His sister, 59-year-old Evelyn McClendon, was one of the at least 16 people whose lives were claimed by the flames.

“I don’t even know how to talk about it,” Calvin told KTLA’s Jennifer McGraw. “She couldn’t get out.”

In an interview with CNN, Calvin said he last saw McClendon as she was collecting her belongings to evacuate her home.

As Calvin rushed to his car with his 1-year-old daughter in his arms on the night of Jan. 7, he yelled repeatedly for McClendon, who lived in a neighboring home, to get out.

“That part, it just replays in my head like a bad nightmare over and over again,” said Calvin. “I try to understand what she was thinking and why she wouldn’t, or why she didn’t.”

Fearing for his family’s life, Calvin escaped with his wife, mother and daughter – desperately hoping that his sister would evacuate. Calvin told CNN that he remembered seeing McClendon’s car still parked out in front of the house.

When Calvin returned home to see the rubble of his house and his family’s adjoining houses, he saw his sister’s car still in front of her house, according to CNN’s report. His cousin reportedly found McClendon’s remains while shoveling through the debris of what used to be her bedroom.

“It’s been hard, processing all this, I’ve been crying every day,” Calvin told KTLA. “I just want to go home.”

While trying to deal with the tragic loss of his sister, Calvin said his community has played a significant role in helping him feel supported.

“The grace of God and the support of family and everyone who’s been through these tragedies have come out in droves to support each other,” said Calvin. “And as far as my Oaks Christian family, who’s been so generous, it’s been a blessing.”

Moving forward, Calvin said he hopes his community, many of them generational homeowners, will rebuild and continue calling Altadena their home for generations to come.

“Just as long as we stick together and do not sell – please, keep your homes – my Altadena community, fight for everything,” said Calvin. “God will make a way.”

Calvin asked those looking to help him to forward their generosities to his nonprofit, linked here.