- A family in California suffered a devastating house fire, but a statue of the biblical figure Mary somehow survived unscathed.
- It stood intact, amidst remnants of the charred remains that had once been their abode for 37 years.
- 'It's the most fascinating and inexplicable occurrence that only the Supreme Being can comprehend,' read one of the comments
Among the devastating wildfires that ravaged southern California, a remarkable symbol of hope and faith originated from the charred ruins of a California family's home—a statue of the biblical figure Mary.
In a viral Instagram video, a statue stood virtually intact, amidst the backdrop of smoldering debris.
It all started when the Halpins' home of 37 years was devastated and reduced to a pile of rubble by the devastating Eaton Fire.
Peter Halpin, the family's father, shared a touching personal account during a media interview, describing a truly remarkable moment.
"It was astonishing how everything else had been completely destroyed, but the statue of Mary and another of Saint Joseph had miraculously survived intact," he said.
Their unshakeable conviction brought them back to the site last week, in spite of the government's prohibitions.
Surrounded by her six children and other loved ones, the family sang a hymn to the statue, captured in a heartwarming video that has since gone viral on the social media platform Instagram.
Our intention was not for this to become a viral phenomenon at all," Peter stated. "It was primarily meant for family purposes, but the community's response has been incredible and touched our hearts.
Peter's wife, Jackie, recalled her reaction when she saw the statues still intact.
Her son-in-law had visited the site the day before and took a photo of the Mary statue, inspiring the family to make their pilgrimage.
I collapsed to the ground," Jackie said. "I realized we had to visit there to express our gratitude to God for the wonderful years we spent in that house.
They have long been people of strong faith, and eight years ago, they consecrated their home to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jackie expresses her sincere appreciation for the happiness and sense of belonging they've created there.
We have entertained guests for years and hold the value of hospitality in high esteem. I simply wished to express a heartfelt prayer, saying, 'If we have the opportunity to do it again, that would be wonderful.'
This home in Malibu is untouched by the LA wildfires.
A comparable situation was highlighted by a widely shared online photo of a solitary, intact Malibu mansion standing amidst the devastation of surrounding homes.
The house was photographed following the devastating Los Angeles wildfires that had been ongoing for days.
Details suggest that the $8 million (approximately KSh 1 billion) mansion, constructed in 2000, is owned by Mr. David Steiner, the CEO of a waste management company.
