Africa-Press – Seychelles. The devastating wildfires, burning throughout Los Angeles, California, since Tuesday, have ravaged thousands of homes, including those owned by Hollywood’s top celebrities.
Iconic landmarks such as the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Ovation Theatre, and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum are all under threat. Over 30 000 people have evacuated, with over 1 000 structures burnt.
At least five people have died, with tens of thousands evacuated in one of the worst fire tragedies in history, that is still ongoing in at least seven of the wealthiest areas, including Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Malibu and the Hollywood Hills – with no end in sight.
Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, Eugene Levy, Anna Faris, Anthony Hopkins, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, Diane Warren, James Woods, and Melissa Rivers were among a growing list of celebrities who have lost their homes.
Hilton took to Instagram to share that she saw her $8.4 million (R158 million) Malibu vacation home in flames on live TV.
“Heartbroken beyond words. 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,” posted Hilton on Instagram.
Kim Kardashian’s $70 million (R1.32 billion) Malibu mansion has been at high risk of destruction as wildfires continue to ravage the Pacific Coast Highway and the majority of the Pacific Palisades – which is home to many A-list actors, including Ben Affleck, who bought a $20.5 million (R387 million) mansion there just six months ago.
The reality star purchased the 3-acre estate formerly owned by supermodel Cindy Crawford in 2022, which she has often referred to as her “dream home” on The Kardashians, boasting panoramic ocean vistas, and the equivalent of billions of rands worth of curated renovations.
Kardashian resides with her children in Hidden Hills, north of Malibu, which is also in the line of an evacuation zone.
Actor Eugene Levy’s lavish mansion in the Pacific Palisades was completely destroyed in the blaze. The Schitt’s Creek alum got stuck in a massive traffic jam while evacuating the neighbourhood. “The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon,” he told the LA Times. “I couldn’t see any flames, but the smoke was very dark.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are also under threat of evacuation from their $29 million (R549 million) home in Montecito, California. Depending on the spread of the blaze, the combination of gale-force winds with burning embers can escalate rapidly.
Power outages from power authority Southern California Edison (SCE) Red Flag Warnings in the area could be implemented, along with mandatory evacuations.
According to People, Harry and Meghan opened their home to family and friends who were forced to evacuate and are using their Archewell Foundation to find ways to support those affected by the fires.
They also issued a statement on their Sussex.com website about the fires and posted links for ways to help.
“In the last few days, wildfires in Southern California have raged through neighborhoods and devastated families, homes, schools, medical care centers, and so much more – affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life,” the statement said.
Melissa Rivers, E! Fashion Police alum and daughter of the late comedian Joan Rivers, also lost her home.
“I’m begging people to understand that when you get the notice that your area might be evacuated, get everything when they say ‘go’, you go,” she told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. “You don’t need to be standing on your roof with a garden hose, that’s not going to do anything. And I just beg people, if you are ever in this situation, listen to the warning and get out.
“That’s how my son and my fiancé and our dogs (are safe), and we had time to grab passports, important paperwork. I grabbed my Mom’s Emmy, a photo of my Dad, and a drawing that my mother had done. My heart is so broken, not just for myself, but going through this town, it’s wiped off the map.”
For More News And Analysis About Seychelles Follow Africa-Press
