Family devastated after losing child's ashes in wildfire: 'Unbelievable tragedy'

The wildfires in Southern California destroyed Leonardo and Giorgi Antinori's home and took away their late firstborn child's ashes.

The couple is seeking assistance from friends, FEMA, and donors to rebuild their home without insurance.

Giorgi described the situation as a surreal nightmare on "Fox & Friends First" on Wednesday, stating that it hasn't fully sunk in yet and he doesn't think it will for a long time.

"We are currently taking each day as it comes and are extremely grateful for the friends and family who have helped us," Leonardo stated.

The couple and their two-year-old daughter escaped their blue wooden bungalow home as wind-fueled wildfires spread, eventually consuming the property and those nearby.

Upon their return, the house and its belongings were destroyed. Among the lost items, the most valuable was the ashes of their firstborn daughter, Vita, who passed away 15 years ago.

Giorgi, who spoke to CNN, shared that every memory and physical evidence of her life has vanished, leaving her feeling numb and having cried all of her emotions.

The GoFundMe for the Antinori family has raised nearly $80,000 as of Wednesday morning, with some friends setting it up to help them rebuild their lives after the tragedy.

Giorgi stated, "We were overwhelmed by the support we received after sharing our story, as we no longer had insurance due to financial constraints."

The couple discovered that they were eligible for full FEMA financial support, which extends beyond donors and aids with housing and personal needs after a disaster.

"Giorgi said, "Losing a $400,000 house is devastating to us, even though it may seem expensive to some who don't live here. However, in California, where the cost of living is high, it's not surprising to lose such a large amount of money. It's like a miracle from God that we're able to cope with this loss.""

Now Giorgi and Leonardo are focused on remaining strong for their daughter.

Giorgi shared, "My world is spinning, and she's seen me cry and break down, yet she still needs my attention and structure. How do you cope when your life is in ruins, and there's no more normal or structure, requiring you to start over?"

"I've been managing my time minute by minute, connecting with friends, praying, and doing everything I can to give her the attention she needs while also dealing with FEMA paperwork and other tasks."