Michel Valentine, a former U.S. Attorney who once worked under Kamala Harris, has released damning footage of firefighters taking nearly 45 minutes to respond to a Pacific Palisades fire that could have been contained.
Valentine’s video, shared exclusively with NewsNation’s Rich McHugh, captures the fire’s rapid escalation as he watched helplessly from his home.
The Pacific Palisades resident described an “intense plume of smoke” that grew exponentially as precious minutes ticked away without action.
The fire was first reported at 10:29 a.m. last Tuesday when Valentine’s wife, out walking their dog, spotted smoke and immediately called 911.
By 10:34 a.m., Valentine had begun recording, capturing the billowing smoke as it doubled in size over the next 15 minutes.
Despite the growing inferno, firefighting efforts didn’t begin until 11:13 a.m., nearly 45 minutes after the initial call.
Contrary to claims that no amount of water could have prevented the fire’s spread, Valentine firmly believes early and aggressive intervention could have contained it.
“I disagree, totally. If there was a prompt response, and if there was a lot of water, [even] adequate water could’ve done it,” Valentine told NewsNation.
“If the fire drops just kept coming consistently, this fire could’ve been confined. Sure, it would’ve continued a bit, but that was all wilderness out there. It wouldn’t have touched any of the homes.
“You’re talking to somebody that’s been up in this community for 40 years, and I’ve seen fires. I’ve seen fires during those 40 years, and there’s always been a good response. I don’t know what happened this time.”
The Los Angeles Fire Department has confirmed the timeline of the 911 call but has yet to provide an explanation for the delay in deploying resources.
During the interview, Valentine blasted Democrat Mayor Karen Bass, accusing her of criminal negligence in the handling of the Pacific Palisades blaze.
“In my opinion, as a former prosecutor, this verges on criminal negligence, I say. It’s just wrong. A lot of people are at fault.”
“I think Mayor Bass bears the ultimate responsibility for this failure, and I think she should be held accountable. There’s no way that I could trust her again as my mayor in light of this tragedy, there’s no way.”
WATCH:
A Pacific Palisades man who witnessed the beginning of the fire says it could have been contained if crews had responded faster. He exclusively shared video with NewsNation’s @RichMcHugh that captured what he believes was a delay in response.
More: https://t.co/8FbvlHUrQc pic.twitter.com/f2JRqffrS8— NewsNation (@NewsNation) January 14, 2025
The post ‘Criminal Negligence’ — Former US Attorney for Kamala Harris Drops Bombshell Video Exposing That LA Firefighters Took Nearly 45 Minutes to Respond to the Pacific Palisades Blaze, Which Could Have Been Contained appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.