At a Glance
- Brandon Castro escaped Altadena’s Eaton Fire on foot after his car ignited
- Michael Towers spotted him while driving home from an overnight shift
- Both men lost their homes in the blaze
- Why it matters: A chance encounter turned into a life-saving moment amid California’s devastating wildfires
In the dead of night last January, Brandon Castro woke to flames surrounding his Altadena home. With his car already ablaze, he sprinted down the street searching for help as the Eaton Fire consumed everything in its path.
The Rescue
Castro had fallen asleep unaware of the approaching inferno. When he opened his eyes, nearby houses were collapsing and embers whipped through the air. His only escape route-his vehicle-was engulfed in flames.
> “I’d just gone to sleep and everything was there. I couldn’t even see any fire and I woke up. All these homes were already collapsing.”
> – Brandon Castro
After running several blocks, Castro encountered Michael Towers, who was heading home after an overnight shift and had stopped to check on his own property. Towers recorded the destruction on his phone, inadvertently capturing the moment he offered Castro a lifeline.
A Fateful Reunion
The video shows Castro approaching the car:
- Castro: “My house just burned there. I just need to be somewhere.”
- Towers: “What do you need? What do you need? You need to come in?”
- Castro: “Yeah.”
- Towers: “Come in.”
The two men, strangers moments before, escaped together. Both ultimately lost their homes. The fire struck exactly one year after Castro’s mother died, leading Towers to believe divine intervention played a role.
> “I really think the angels were looking out for him… I really honestly think that the way it worked out that she sent me up there for that moment.”
> – Michael Towers
Life After the Flames
One year later, NBC4 arranged a surprise reunion between the men. Castro instantly recognized his rescuer, exclaiming, “Wait, you’re the guy that saved me!” They embraced, reflecting on their shared trauma and recovery.
- Michael Towers has since welcomed a baby girl named Faith
- Brandon Castro now lives in an RV donated by a nonprofit
Key Takeaways
- The Eaton Fire destroyed countless Altadena homes in minutes
- Michael Towers’ late-night detour saved Brandon Castro’s life
- Both survivors are rebuilding, one embracing new fatherhood, the other adjusting to RV living
Their chance encounter serves as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, human connection can provide hope amid disaster.
