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Hero Dad Keeps Toddler Calm While Driving Through Camp Fire Inferno

As most parents must know, when you’re with your child, you’re not allowed to crack under pressure. Joe Allen knows that only too well and proof is his behavior as he drove himself and his 3-year-old through Camp Fire.
Dad sings to toddler while driving through Camp Fire in viral video 57 photos
Photo: YouTube / KTVU
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Camp Fire is officially the deadliest and most dangerous fire to ravage California. As of the time of writing, it’s less than 40 percent contained and has claimed the lives of 48 people, with hundreds reported missing.

Hundreds of homes have burned so far, together with many acres of land and everything else that stood on it. The Allens’ home is probably among them, Whitney Allen tells KTVU, but at least she and her husband and their 2 daughters made it out alive.

Whitney took their 8-month in the car on the ride out during evacuations, while Joe took the eldest, Olivia, who is 3 years old. He filmed the drive out, which included going down a road with fire burning on both sides, and sparks flying. You can see the footage at the bottom of the page.

Despite the severe, dangerous situation, Joe manages to keep his cool, with one small exception, when he drops an F-bomb. He sings to Olivia and assures her that they’ll be getting out safe, and that they will be returning home when the fires are no longer burning.

While his calmness has earned him the title of “hero” online, Whitney tells the media outlet that his training must have kicked in: you see, Joe is a retired military, so if there’s anything he knows, that’s not losing his mind in crisis situations.

The day the video was shot was also Olivia’s birthday. “As our lives drastically changed today, we are reminded what is most important,” Whitney says. “Tonight we celebrated Olivia’s birthday because even though we lost everything today and so did my family... we didn’t lose each other and that is truly what matters.”

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About the author: Elena Gorgan
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Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
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