Family escapes fire and flooding during Montecito mudslides

Ashton Whited said she didn’t know there could be fire and rain, but that is what her family experienced while escaping the devastating Montecito mudslides.

Around 3:45 a.m., on Tuesday, Jan, 9, a gas explosion occurred near her parents Park Lane home.

Her grandparents and relatives were visiting when the explosion woke them up. They tried to get all their cars out but one got stuck in the mud. They got other cars with four family cats but couldn’t turn onto San Ysidro Road.

They took shelter at Burnim Park and until a helicopter airlifted them to safety about 15 hours later.

The Gas Company is still working on the ruptured gas main along East Mountain Road. Crews said it may have been broken by a boulder.

Workers appeared to be covered in mud and warned others to watch their step. The thick mud is filled with ash from Thomas Fire and feels like cement.

Ashton said she will never forget how they took action to save each other and neighbors.

She said her uncle took some cell phone video to remember their experience. He also carried her grandmother on his back.

They are staying at the Hotel Milo like they did during the Thomas Fire.

Ashton recently got engaged and is hoping things will get back to normal so she can plan her wedding and move to Los Angeles.