Family says an 83-year-old man died in a California wildfire after he refused to evacuate

ALTADENA, Calif. (KCAL/KCBS) – Authorities now say at least 10 people have died in wildfires in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that number Thursday evening. However, the death toll is expected to rise.

One woman says her father died after he refused to evacuate his Altadena home.

Kimiko Nickerson recalls her last conversation with her 83-year-old father, Rodney Nickerson.

“He said he would be fine. “‘I’ll be here when you come back,’ and he said his house would be here,” Kimiko Nickerson said. “His home is here and he was here too. When I found him, he was lying in bed.

A woman says her 83-year-old father died in a Los Angeles-area fire after he refused to evacuate. (KCAL/KCBS)

“The last thing he said to me verbally was, ‘I’ll be here tomorrow,’” Kimiko Nickerson added.

Tens of thousands of people from the area were evacuated.

Thousands of buildings burned down completely.

Most of the flames are still not under control.