Celebrities who lost their mansions in the wildfires in Los Angeles as five die and 130,000 evacuated
by Rebecca Robinson · ChronicleLiveA growing list of celebrities are revealing that their properties have fallen victim to the devastating wildfires sweeping across Los Angeles, which have already claimed five lives and prompted the evacuation of over 130,000 residents.
The first fire broke out on Tuesday, and currently, at least five separate blazes are raging across LA, a city that is home to many of Hollywood's most renowned stars.
Some of LA's most iconic landmarks are also under threat, including the historic Capitol Records building, the TCL Chinese Theatre, the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the iconic Hollywood Bowl.
Arguably the most recognisable symbol of Hollywood, the iconic Hollywood sign, is also situated near the evacuation zone, while the Griffith Observatory, which has featured in classic films such as Rebel Without A Cause and La La Land, could also be at risk.
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Fanned by powerful gusts of up to 100mph, the flames have spread rapidly, initially hindering firefighters' efforts to tackle the blazes from the air, resulting in homes being consumed by the inferno at an alarming rate, reports the Express.
Among the celebrity casualties is Paris Hilton, whose beachfront Malibu mansion was destroyed, leaving her "heartbroken beyond words". In a statement posted on Instagram, she revealed that she had watched her home "burn to the ground on live TV".
Acting couple Leighton Meester and Adam Brody also lost their £5 million LA home, with photographs obtained by Page Six showing the flames engulfing the garage door and the roof completely incinerated.
Anna Faris is another celebrity who has lost her multimillion-dollar mansion to the fires, with images revealing the property reduced to smoldering rubble. Top Gun: Maverick's Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh have sadly lost their home to the Pacific Palisades fire, a property they had only recently acquired for a hefty £6 million.
Beloved comedian Eugene Levy also fell victim to the devastating blaze, having previously mentioned being caught in heavy traffic due to the mass exodus of residents fleeing the area.
Acclaimed actor and Oscar recipient Anthony Hopkins saw his Pacific Palisades residence reduced to mere rubble, a tragic end for a home he had resided in for over a quarter of a century.
Billy Crystal and his wife Janice also suffered the loss of their home in the same region, with only a portion of their tennis court remaining intact. The couple, who have called the place home since 1979, expressed their heartbreak.
In a joint statement, they shared: "Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing."
"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."
They went on to praise the Pacific Palisades as a "resilient community of amazing people", affirming: "It is our home".
John Goodman, another notable actor, saw his LA residence similarly reduced to ashes, with images obtained by Page Six revealing nothing left standing amidst a charred swimming pool.
Stars of hit reality show The Hills, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, took to social media to reveal the devastating loss of their residence in the destructive blaze. Married since 2009, the pair captured the rapid spread of the fire via their Snapchat stories, with Pratt poignantly stating: "I'm watching our house burn down on the security cameras."
Oscar laureate and musician Diane Warren lamented the destruction of her 30 year old beachside abode, yet expressing gratitude for the safety of her beloved animals. Several A-list celebrities recounted harrowing tales of narrow escapes from the raging inferno, among them Mark Hamill, James Woods, and Mandy Moore.
Renowned Star Wars thespian Hamill described the terrifying ordeal as "fleeing for our lives" during the family's hasty evacuation. Woods, of Once Upon A Time In America fame, candidly confessed: "It tests your soul, losing everything at once."
This Is Us star Moore detailed her sense of desolation on Instagram, as she witnessed the neighbourhood destruction firsthand: "Honestly, I'm in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family."
She elaborated further: "My children's school is gone. Our favourite restaurants, leveled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too. Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together."
Meanwhile, Oscar recipient Jamie Lee Curtis revealed that although her residence had been spared, their cherished neighbourhood had succumbed to the flames, as she shared dramatic videos of the inferno on Instagram. Numerous other celebrities, including Ben Affleck and Black Eyed Peas vocalist Fergie, were compelled to evacuate their residences, although it remains unconfirmed whether their properties have suffered any fire damage.
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