As the Los Angeles wildfire continues to spread across several towns, leading to thousands of people fleeing their homes, even Hollywood A-listers weren't spared. Celebrities like Mandy Moore, Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, Mark Hamill, and Jamie Lee Curtis, among others were forced to evacuate to escape the burning fires.
A home, reportedly belonging to Leighton Meester and Adam Brody were one of the over 1000 houses that were engulfed by the fire. Cary Elwes and Mandy Moore also spoke about how they lost their homes to the devastating calamity.
California firefighters are struggling to battle the raging fires that have destroyed homes, caused complete power outages and led to traffic jams as thousands took their cars out to flee from the fires. Some even abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot. There are multiple wildfires burning in Southern California including The Palisades fire west of Los Angeles which is a hillside area along the coast lined up with celebrity residences, he Eaton fire north of Pasadena, and the Hurst fire in the San Fernando Valley. Late Wednesday, another blaze broke out in the Hollywood Hills.
In a statement, Crystal and his wife, Janice, said their home of 45 years in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood was lost.
"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 said.
Mark Hamill wrote, "Evacuated Malibu so last minute. Small fires on both sides of the road as we approached (the Pacific Coast Highway)." Mandy Moore wrote how she was in shock about the whole incident. "Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family. My children’s school is gone. Our favorite restaurants, leveled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too. Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together. Sending love to all affected and on the front lines trying to get this under control," she wrote.
Paris Hilton too penned her thoughts about her home in Malibu getting destroyed by the fires. "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," she said, referencing her young children.
“The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking,” she wrote. Jamie Lee Curtis expressed her gratitude to the firefighters and all the good samaritans "who are helping people get out of the way of the blaze." She also shared that her family is safe, but can't assure the same for her house.
With the calamity, the Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations were announced via press release instead of at a live event and weekend events like the AFI Awards were cancelled. The Academy Awards nominations has also been delayed by two days to January 19. The Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for Sunday, have been postponed until February 26.
Reportedly, over 70,000 residents have evacuated after orders and nearly 30,000 structures were under threat from burning down. Many key locations featured in popular Hollywood movies were also destroyed by the fire including the famous Sunset Boulevard and parts of the Palisades Charter High School. The historic ranch house that belonged to Hollywood legend Will Rogers and the iconic Topanga Ranch Motel, built by William Randolph Hearst in 1929 was also destroyed.
Check out the celebrities' reactions below:
