Residents in California were forced to flee their homes as wildfires destroyed the state. As the Caldor Fire approached highly inhabited regions, many people were forced to flee. While locals fleeing to safety crowded the highways, one man’s violin performance against the backdrop of orange sky loaded with fumes went viral.
Later, netizens compared the incident to the scene in the film Titanic where the band continues to play even as the ship sinks.
As the whole California resort city of South Lake Tahoe was forced to evacuate, chaos ensued, with thousands attempting to flee blocking routes leading to safety. Residents waited in front of their automobiles, waiting for the gridlock to pass. This is when Mel Smothers, a long-time Tahoe resident, surprised everyone with an impromptu violin performance.
While stuck in eastbound evacuation traffic on Highway 50, Smothers stood outside his yellow truck and played his instrument, according to the SF Chronicle. A video shot by Alvin A.H. Jornada, a photojournalist for the newspaper, became viral after being shared on numerous social media sites.
Watch the video here:
During the long wait, he kept himself amused by playing the “Tennessee Waltz” on his violin, which also kept the other occupants entertained. In an interview with The Press Democrat, he stated that the experience had been nerve-wracking. He admitted, “There was a little bit of anxiety there.” “Like, is the fire going to catch up to us while we’re sitting there?”