'Like back in the Stone Ages': Mobile home park residents detail struggles after 1 week without power
Dec 16, 2024
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- Residents of the Edison Mobile Home Park east of Bakersfield are still without power, more than a week after a fire tore through the community killing two women.
Residents said -- in addition to mourning their neighbors -- they're left to deal with the aftermath of no electricity and a charred mess they have to clean up themselves.
Generators and campfires are keeping these mobile home park residents warm.
"It's really cold," said Scott Wesley Perkins, who's been trailer hopping in the park for five months. "There's no light, can't see nothing, so it's just like back in the Stone Ages."
Donald Riddle, a resident of five years, agreed with Perkins.
"No power out here, no hot water, electricity...no nothing out here," said Riddle.
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The trailer inferno killed two women trapped inside.
The Coroner's Office said Monday the victims have not yet been identified, as their bodies are too badly burned. The Kern County Fire Department has launched an arson investigation.
In the meantime, residents said they're helpless, with many saying they've not yet heard from property management.
Jay Vee, who's lived in the park for almost two months, said, "We're trying to help each other out. If we can get any help from the community, that'd be highly appreciated."
Perkins, expressed concerns over the future.
"What are we all gonna do now, you know, if they don't fix this power," said Perkins. "What are we going to do? Yeah, don't even think about taking a shower. You'll freeze to death. I've never showered, since the fire, not once."
Monday morning, Perkins and his neighbors were attempting to get their generator going, while clean up efforts continued throughout the residence.
Another resident told 17 News she and her husband are moving and scrapping their trailer, after it was badly burned.
A week after the fire, the sheriff's office offered few details. A spokesperson would say only that there's enough reason to investigate the case as a homicide, but wouldn't say if there's a suspect or suspects, and whether there's a killer on the loose. The sheriff's office said based on their investigation so far, there's no concern for public safety.
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According to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the mobile park has 27 lot spaces.
One unit was fully burned, while two others were approximately 80% burned.
"Water, toilet paper...stuff you would normally get at a store close by," Vee asked of the community. "We're far from the market or anything like that."
17 News also met a veteran who was dropping off a Walmart gift card to a family.
"I belong to VWF Post 7216 over in east Bakersfield, and we found out one of the residents here is a veteran," explained Edward Ochoa. "Post members have donated clothing, food and I'm here to help them with a small monetary donation."