Wedding Ring Survives Two Wildfires 58 Years Apart

LOS ANGELES, CA — Sifting through the devastation of the Getty Fire last week, firefighters discovered a stunning symbol of hope — amid the ashes they found diamond ring so much more precious than the jewel itself. Almost 58 years ago to the day, that same wedding ring survived the Bel-Air Fire that destroyed 484 homes in 1961.

Patty Shale's family lost their home to both fires. And both times it was the wedding ring belonging to Shale's late mother that survived. For Shale, it was like getting a message of hope from her mother.

"On October 30th, Engine 89 was working at the fire and found a small ring box out in front of the only home destroyed in that section of the street. Sitting there all by itself," the Los Angeles Fire Department wrote on its Facebook page. "When they opened it and saw the beautiful ring inside, they just knew this would be very important to the homeowner."

The firefighters were determined to find the ring's owner.

"A few days later, once residents were safely able to return to their homes, a couple LAFD officers set off on their mission to find the ring’s owner."

They found her.

"The resident was speechless and beyond happy to have the ring back. Among the stories of heartbreak and devastation, these moments lighten our hearts," the fire department wrote. "We hope this beloved family heirloom continues to bring joy and smiles to its family."

Suffering the loss of her home, the return of the ring meant so much to Shales.

At a news conference Tuesday afternoon at Fire Station 59, Shale said the box had been stored in a closet in the back of the house and that recovering the ring was like getting a message from her mother, who had Alzheimer's disease and died about a year ago.

"It's just unbelievable really," she said. "It's a total miracle.

"I feel that she sent me this to tell me that she is in heaven and that she's OK and that I'm going to be OK," she said.

City News Service contributed to this report.