Boca Chica Heights resident stays behind, flights Carson-Midway flames

Three men risked their lives trying to save their home Friday afternoon.

Hours after the Carson-Midway fire erupted, Richard Young and his two roommates decided they’d stay in their house despite evacuation orders for 250 homes and “wait it out.”

That wait was shorter than they expected. The flames they once saw miles away quickly approached their house in Boca Chica Heights. Their instincts kicked in and they started using any resource they could to fight the flames. Richard Young used a shovel to drop dirt over small hot spots, meanwhile, Michael Schoepf used a garden hose to put flames.

The third roommate, Justin Batulanon said, “We didn’t feel in danger at the time and we don’t have homeowners insurance on the house so we were fighting to keep the house and thank God the house is okay.”

A nearby neighbor used construction equipment to make a fire break that prevents flames from reaching any closer to the house.

Despite their efforts, neighbor’s homes went up in flames. Schoepf said, “a few homes right behind our ridge went up as well. I think we saw a total of four homes go up as well.”

Both Justin and Michael briefly left the house and when they returned, the road leading up to their home was closed.

Richard Young is the only person left in the house who sent us photos of a nearby home covered with smoke. Young says, “I mean, what can you do? That’s the reason why I stayed. I wasn’t going to lose my property.”

Young’s photos only paint a small picture of what residents may be coming home to.

Although these three men were lucky, this is not the safest option for someone under an evacuation order. If fire crews have ordered an evacuation order in your area, it’s because you are not safe.