A couple from Los Angeles, unaware of the impending wildfires threatening their neighborhood, embarked on separate out-of-state trips, leaving their three dogs vulnerable. Fortunately, the heroic efforts of two CBS employees led to a touching rescue amid the turmoil.
On January 7, 2025, as the Palisades fires swept through Los Angeles, Andrea and Sixuan Pasinetti were away from home. Andrea was in San Francisco for work commitments, while Sixuan was traveling abroad. They had arranged for a dogsitter to care for their three pets—Alma, Archie, and Hugo—but the sitter was unable to reach their residence due to road closures. The flames advanced rapidly towards their neighborhood on Lachman Lane, placing the dogs in imminent peril.
In a frantic attempt to save his cherished pets, Andrea promptly booked a flight back to Los Angeles. “The flight into [Los Angeles] was incredibly challenging because we had no information,” Andrea recounted during an emotional interview with CBS News. A friend greeted him at the airport with blankets and fire-retardant supplies, prepared for a courageous rescue operation. However, their approach to the house was obstructed by law enforcement roadblocks. “It’s a feeling of helplessness and devastation,” Andrea reflected. “You want to hold onto hope, yet you also brace for the worst.”
As Andrea strategized his next moves, Sixuan monitored the fire coverage on television. She spotted CBS News reporter Jonathan Vigliotti reporting near Palisades Charter High School, which was in proximity to their home. The couple decided to reach out, initially tweeting at the reporter before contacting his colleague, CBS News producer Christian Duran. Their message successfully reached Jonathan, who, along with Christian, quickly resolved to assist.
Upon the arrival of the CBS team at the Pasinetti residence, the circumstances were dire. The property was engulfed in flames, and they lacked a key for entry. With Andrea’s consent, they readied themselves to break windows if the situation demanded it. The presence of three rescue dogs, each with pre-existing anxiety, added to the complexity of the rescue. Alma was positioned near the entrance, while Hugo had sought refuge under a bed.
Jonathan and Christian successfully secured Alma by draping a blanket over her to soothe her. They then focused on Archie and Hugo. By lifting the bed in the main bedroom, they were able to retrieve Hugo. Andrea later discovered that the house was completely consumed by fire just hours after the rescue.
“I have never experienced such a blend of joy, relief, exhaustion, despair, and gratitude,” Andrea reflected. “The selflessness and bravery they exhibited to save the dogs represent the finest qualities of humanity.” He expressed profound appreciation not only to Jonathan and Christian but also to the firefighters and first responders who dedicated themselves to safeguarding lives and properties during the emergency.
Andrea shared a poignant photograph with his dogs, extending his thanks to the CBS team for their heroic actions in “keeping our family intact.” Jonathan later recounted, “We nearly decided against going. We mistakenly believed the home and the dogs would be safe.”
The Palisades fires wreaked havoc, with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reporting 177 wildfires in the region, which scorched over 40,000 acres, obliterated thousands of structures, and resulted in 24 fatalities.
In the midst of this calamity, the rescue of the Pasinetti dogs stands as a testament to hope and the remarkable capacity for courage and compassion within humanity.
