Longtime Local Survives Wildfire with Help of Deputy

• Corral Canyon Fire Consumes World War II Veteran’s Home and Memories •

BY VANESSA HARRIS

In the wake of Malibu’s latest and most tragic wildfire of the year, it could have seemed that the flames cleared away any hopes for stories of grace. Yet over a month later, a time for gratitude and thanks for a heroic story has come to light in time for the new year.
This is especially true for 96-year-old Benjamin Kennedy who has witnessed Malibu go through many changes while residing in the town since 1932. But for him and his caretaker of 10 years, Irina Svistelina, the sight of their burning home was a change they never wanted to see. However, with thanks to Malibu locals and a Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station deputy, Kennedy and Svistelina are grateful to have made it through the disaster.
When the two received news of the fire at 5 a.m. on Nov. 24, Svistelina spent two hours convincing Kennedy of the need to leave. Kennedy refused because of his immobility and the desire to stay with a home filled with memorabilia he had accumulated throughout his life.
As the fire raged closer and closer to their home, Svistelina was convinced that they were going to burn together. She refused to leave him despite the grimness of the situation. In a last desperate measure to send for help, Svistelina ran outside to seek assistance but found no one in sight. No one, except for a black-and-white sheriff’s car parked far in the distance.
Frantically, she waved her hands in the hope that she would catch the officer’s eyes. She realized she was successful as the car instantly backed up and, as Svistelina describes, out came a “handsome, strong, and tall policeman” from the car to their rescue.
Deputy Steve Bohmert entered the endangered home and placed Kennedy over his shoulder and carried him out to his car. Svistelina followed the policeman to safety in her own car. When they reached the bottom of the hill, Bohmert put Kennedy in her vehicle and returned to the fire.
Traumatized by the day’s events, the pair realized that they did not have time to salvage anything from the engulfed home, but were thankful that the deputy had appeared to save their lives.
With nowhere to go, the two sought safety at BeauRivage, where owner and longtime Kennedy friend Daniel Forge set up a refugee camp of sorts. He provided food, coffee, and water to victims of the fire like Kennedy and Svistelina.
The relief effort continued for the two as the Malibu Rivera Motel “opened their hearts and doors at the same moment to them” says Svistelina. The staff, who she says are “warm people who warmed their hearts in a difficult time,” let them know that they could stay as long as they needed, and they would help as much as they could.
Even now as Kennedy is recovering from the stress brought on by the fire at the Veteran’s Hospital, Svistelina still seeks refuge in the hotel where she showers and rests from time to time.
While Kennedy is slowly but steadily recovering each day from the catastrophe, the loss that his home suffered will never be recovered.
The destroyed home, which included World War II memorabilia that Kennedy accumulated throughout the years, had irreplaceable personal and historical value. The collection included signed pictures of members of the Blue Angels to whom Kennedy taught navigation.
Other lost artifacts include the awards which Kennedy was given for his longstanding volunteer efforts, including the delivery of food boxes to the needy for over 36 years.
Despite these losses, Svistelina and Kennedy are grateful to all the people who played vital roles in their safety. Svistelina and Kennedy hope for an occasion to properly thank Dep. Bohmert for his courageous efforts after Kennedy’s health is restored.
They want Bohmert to know that they will forever be grateful for what he did for them.
Svistelina asks for the community’s thoughts and prayers for Kennedy’s complete recovery. She says, “So many have come to him to get light from him, and [he] is in a way seen like a god because he has helped so many throughout the years.”
She now wishes for the same sense of energy and strength to be returned to the man who gave others so much.