First fully rebuilt home in Altadena since Eaton Fire given certificate of occupancy, meaning it’s safe and cleared for move in
ALTADENA, Calif. (KABC) — Los Angeles County marked a major milestone Wednesday in the Eaton Fire recovery process, issuing the first certificate of occupancy for a fully rebuilt home.
Ted Koerner’s home on East Loma Alta Drive is the first fully rebuilt residence to be completed following the fire, and the certificate means it’s safe to live in.
“Ted, we’re here to celebrate you,” L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger told Koerner during a press conference Wednesday at his new home. “You truly are a champion. You’re a survivor, but more importantly, you are back in your home. Some place you were determined to get back into by the holidays, and it shall be.”
The one-story, 2,160-square-foot home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an attached garage and a patio trellis.
It’s much different from the small hotel room Koerner had been living in since being displaced by the fire, but he didn’t go through it alone.
“A lot of friends who kept me sane those first few weeks living in a 300-square-foot hotel room … it was beyond miserable,” he said. “Everybody in the hotel was a fire victim with kids and dogs, and there was just tears and sobbing everywhere in the building every day.”
Koerner’s 13-year-old dog Daisy May was his biggest motivation to rebuild his home fast. In fact, he finished in just four months.
“Make a decision once and go on to the next decision,” he said. “First of all, painted it all one color so you can paint it in three days. Spray paint the house four times, and be done with it. I could live in a tent, and I told the builder I could live in a tent no problem. I don’t care. I’m 67 years old, what’s the difference? I wasn’t trying to build a mansion. They built me one. They built me a palace because they built this house with love.”
The county said Wednesday’s milestone is just the beginning and more homes are expected to completed soon.
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