As wildfires scorch L.A neighborhoods, evacuees describe harrowing escapes

Some residents were able to flee on foot, while others got away with the assistance of strangers.

Flames and pillars of smoke rose from both sides of the road and a woman yelled in panic as firefighters ushered a crowd of fleeing residents along. Aaron Samson positioned his 83-year-old father-in-law behind his blue walker, and they began shuffling down the sidewalk.

“My father-in-law was saying, ‘Aaron, if we are ever in a position where the flames are right there, you just run and leave me here,'” Samson recounted Wednesday.