PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Ocean State residents with connections to Los Angeles are speaking about how surreal the obliteration is in the midst of the destructive wildfires. ABC6 Anchor Karah Bailey spoke with Dr. Christopher West, with the African-American Museum of Rhode Island, who served for eight years as the Diversity Initiative Coordinator at Pasadena City College, in California. He says it’s not just the rich and famous who are impacted. “Palisades is a community that’s supported primarily by Equatorian women,” said Dr. West. “Meaning that if you’re in that community at two o’clock in the afternoon, they are taking care of children, they are nannies, they are support personnel.” “There are not going to be jobs for those individuals and so they are connected into the destruction of the fires,” continued Dr. West. “He bought the house in ’61. He bought it when it was actually affordable,” said Dr. West of a colleague. “Did the house grow in equity? Of course it grew in equity. But this is a guy who was a middle class guy. Who simply did good work. Paid his mortgage and paid it off, and was living the American dream. His house is gone. So when we talk about what’s going on in the fire in California, if you’ve got resources to do, please do.” You can click here to help those affected by the California wildfires and can view the full interview with Dr. West below. Categories: News, Rhode Island, US & World News