PHOTO: LA TIMES
Celebrities Flee as Wildfire Ravages California’s Pacific Palisades
In a dramatic turn of events, a wildfire has wreaked havoc in California’s Pacific Palisades, forcing numerous celebrities to flee their luxurious homes. The blaze, described as an ‘immediate threat to life’ by authorities, has engulfed the ritzy neighborhood, leaving destruction in its wake.
State of Emergency Declared
On Tuesday evening, Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson declared a state of emergency, warning that the worst of the windstorm was ‘yet to come.’ As panicked residents fled on foot, the city enlisted bulldozers to clear the streets of deserted cars, making way for first responders to access the hills where the fire raged.
Celebrities Affected
The apocalyptic inferno has torn through the affluent coastal region, home to many A-list celebrities, including Ben Affleck, Jhene Aiko, Tom Hanks, and Miles Teller. The devastating fire has led to significant property loss and widespread evacuations.
Reality TV star Spencer Pratt and his wife Heidi Montag lost their home to the raging wildfire. Pratt described the natural disaster as an all-encompassing ‘tornado of fire,’ encapsulating the terror experienced by many residents.
Ben Affleck, who purchased a $20.5 million bachelor pad in Pacific Palisades, found himself among those affected. His estate, which sits on nearly an acre of land, was designed by noted architect Cliff May and extensively remodeled by its previous owners.
Ben Affleck purchased his $20.5million bachelor pad on July 24 – his now ex-wife’s 55th birthday
The Gone Girl star took out a $10million loan on the 6,200 square-foot property which was originally built and designed in the early 1940s. (Pictured: Affleck in Los Angeles in September)
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson own a sprawling $26 million mansion in the neighborhood. The couple’s 14,513 square-foot house, which boasts four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and numerous amenities, was built in 1996 and has been their home since 2010.
Actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson own a sprawling $26million mansion in Pacific Palisades. (Pictured: The celebrity couple in October)
The couple of 36 years purchased the 1.5- acre home, which was built in 1996, in 2010
Miles Teller and his model wife Keleigh Sperry purchased their mansion for $7.5 million in March 2023. The 6,622 square-foot Cape-Cod style home features five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and an array of luxurious amenities, including an at-home movie theater and gym.
The Top Gun: Maverick Star and his model wife Keleigh Sperry purchased their mansion there for $7.5million in March 2023
R&B singer Jhene Aiko and her rapper boyfriend Big Sean also fell victim to the wildfire. Their $5.6 million mansion, featuring lavish amenities such as a pickle ball court and pool, was among the properties affected.
NBA star Kawhi Leonard, who purchased an 11,815 square-foot property in the neighborhood in 2021, and Schitt’s Creek star Eugene Levy, a longtime resident, were also forced to evacuate their homes.
Efforts of First Responders
The Pacific Palisades Fire Department has been working tirelessly to combat the blaze. Helicopters have been seen dropping water on the intense fires, and firefighters are on the ground, battling to save what they can.
Woods posted a series of photos and clips documenting the damage as he praised the efforts made by first responders to his 4.5 million followers
Oscar-nominated actor James Woods, who had to evacuate his home, praised the efforts of first responders. Woods shared photos and clips on social media, documenting the damage and expressing gratitude for the LA fire and police departments’ dedication to keeping residents safe.
On Tuesday evening, Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson declared a state of emergency – while warning that the worst of the windstorm is ‘yet to come’
Community Response
Police Academy star Steve Guttenberg sprang into action, assisting firefighters by moving cars to create room for incoming fire trucks. Guttenberg emphasized the importance of leaving car keys behind for quick relocation, highlighting the community’s collective effort in times of crisis.
SOURCE: THE DAILY MAIL