i wasn't ready to die. >> people trapped everywhere. >> we've been hit with a major earthquake. >> it is 4:31 a.m., january 17th, 1994. centered in the knot ridge section of los angeles, california, 20 miles north of downtown, it all happened so fast in seven terrifying seconds, nature unleashes its father rye. fury. >> the first thing i heard was a loud explosion. everything started shaking violently. >> most of the residents at the north ridge med dose apartments, including steve lang don, are at home when the quake rattles them out of their beds. >> the only thing i could think about is getting under something or getting to the doorway. i took a couple steps and there was a dresser that was against the wall that hit me in the chest and knocked me back down. >> firefighter mike henry on the overnight at the firehouse is jolted out of his sleep. >> it was such a ferocious sound.