Several celebrities’ homes have been destroyed in the wildfires spreading through Los Angeles, with videos showing the utter devastation in areas heavily populated by A-listers.
Viral footage recorded in the Pacific Palisades and Pasadena neighborhoods of Los Angeles, which are home to dozens of celebrity residences, showed extensive fire damage throughout the city, many houses reduced to nothing by the flames.
Why It Matters
Pacific Palisades is home to some of California’s most lucrative real estate, and is the home of many A-list celebrities. However, the wildfire outbreak there on Tuesday, has put many of these properties into jeopardy.
What to Know
The Palisades fire began at 11:04 a.m. local time southeast of Palisades Drive, and has so far led to the evacuation of 70,000 people from affected areas. Meanwhile, the Eaton fire has approached the Pasadena neighborhood, which is also home to a large celebrity population.
Several celebrities who live in these areas were affected by the blaze, and reported that their homes had been burnt down in the wildfires.
Reality TV star Paris Hilton said that she and her family left their home in Malibu to get to safety, only to watch it burn down on the news.
One video captured on social media showed large homes in the Pacific Palisades, an area where several A-list celebrities live, on fire, as wind conditions spread the flamed through residential areas.
Actor Billy Crystal, who lived in the area, confirmed that his home had been destroyed by the fire, writing in a statement: “Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.
“We pray for the safety of the fire fighters and first responders. The Pacific Palisades is a resilient community of amazing people and we know in time it will rise again. It is our home.”
Another video broadcast by Fox11 showed other homes burning in the Palisades, with reports confirming that the fires had burnt down the residences of John Goodman, Cameron Matheson and Jack Nicholson.
Other celebrities with affected homes included actors Eugene Levy and Cary Elwes, both of whom also had residences in Malibu.
Musician Mandy Moore posted images of her neighborhood in Pasadena, near the Eaton fire, as she drove through to safety, revealing hundreds of burning houses, as well as many structures that had already burnt down completely. Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and Ben Affleck also have residences in Pasadena.
What People Are Saying
Reality TV star Paris Hilton said on social media: “Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience.
“This home was where we built so many precious memories. It’s where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with London.”
In a joint statement with his family, actor Billy Crystal said: “Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing. We ache for our friends and neighbors who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy.”
What Happens Next
Authorities are warning residents that continued high winds around the city with the wildfires are expected to continue through the week, spreading the fire further into residential areas and damaging more homes.
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