Altadena Fire Survivor Rebuilds: Why Staying Makes Sense
An Altadena fire victim, Jennie Marie Mahalick Petrini, showcases incredible resilience, choosing to rebuild her life in Jane’s Village after the devastating Eaton Canyon fire. This is more than just a rebuild; it’s a testament to community and the enduring spirit of Altadena. Facing the daunting complexities of reconstruction, Jennie is balancing the emotional toll with financial realities, meticulously navigating insurance payouts, and securing loans to bridge the funding gap for a “like-for-like” rebuild. discover how she’s leveraging community resources, including the Altadena Collective and the Foothill Catalog Foundation, to expedite the process and stay in the neighborhood she loves. Despite the challenges, Jennie is resolute to create a home with a story, embracing a resourcefulness that defines her commitment to rebuilding and staying in an area that means home to her.
altadena Fire Victim Stays, Rebuilds After Eaton Canyon Fire
Updated June 23, 2025
For Jennie Marie Mahalick Petrini, Jan. 7, 2025, brought devastating loss. The Eaton fire reduced her Altadena home, a sanctuary in the Jane’s Village area, to ashes. Now,Petrini faces a tough choice: sell the lot or rebuild her life in Altadena.
While many opt to sell,driven by the complexities of rebuilding,Petrini is resolute to stay. Despite the emotional and financial challenges, remaining in her community is her priority.She is committed to navigating the rebuilding process and restoring her home.
Petrini bought the 1,352-square-foot house in 2019 for $705,000. The property, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, sits on a little over 5,300 square feet. Refinancing during the pandemic lowered her mortgage rate to 2.75%,making her payments only slightly higher than current rent.
Her insurance provider, Farmers, quickly provided payouts after the fire. Petrini received $380,000 for the dwelling, an additional 20% for extended damage (about $70,000), and $200,000 for personal property. She allocated $50,000 of the personal property payout toward rebuilding efforts.
Petrini estimates a basic rebuild will cost around $700,000. With insurance payouts and her savings, she can cover about $500,000. To bridge the $200,000 gap, she secured a Small Business Administration loan.
Jennie Marie Mahalick Petrini is diving into the complicated process of staying in Altadena and rebuilding her property.
(Robert Hanashiro / For The Times)
To expedite the process, Petrini is pursuing a “like-for-like” rebuild, mirroring the original structures. Los Angeles County is expediting permits for such projects to accelerate fire recovery.Her new house will match the old one: 1,352 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Plans were submitted in early June, with approval expected by month’s end.
Petrini enlisted Altadena Collective, collaborating with the Foothill Catalog Foundation, to design the rebuild. The organization is helping fire victims in Jane’s Village reconstruct their English Cottage-style homes. Petrini paid $33,000 for customized architectural plans, project management and structural engineering-about half the usual cost, she said.
“I’m going with whatever’s quickest and most efficient. if we run out of money, who needs drywall,” petrini said. “I want my house to be the first one rebuilt.”
While Petrini and her daughters envision their dream kitchen and bathrooms, she knows sacrifices are unavoidable. She plans to use any available material to complete the project.
“It’s gonna be a scavenger hunt to get this done. We’re gonna use any material we can find,” she said. “But it’ll have a story. Just like Altadena.”