LA Wildfire
Los Angeles wildfire leaves 5 dead, forces 1 lakh including celebs to flee, Hollywood hills ablazed
Los Angeles/IBNS: At least five people died and about one lakh others including Hollywood A-listers fled their homes to survive the massive wildfire that created chaos in Los Angeles, media reports said.
The reports pouring in narrate how people took their belongings and fled their homes which were burnt down by the fire that is far from being tamed by the firefighters.
The situation further deteriorated by the powerful Santa Ana winds blowing at around 112 kmph speed.
About 1,500 buildings have been burnt down by the wildfire in the most populous state city of the US state of California.
In her last update on X, LA Mayor Karen Bass wrote, "We are deploying LAPD officers to respond to Hollywood to help alleviate evacuation traffic. We are working urgently to close roads, redirect traffic and expand access for LAFD vehicles to respond to the growing fire."
We are deploying LAPD officers to respond to Hollywood to help alleviate evacuation traffic.
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 9, 2025
We are working urgently to close roads, redirect traffic and expand access for LAFD vehicles to respond to the growing fire.
David Acuna, a battalion chief at the Californian Fire Service, said the fire at the Hollywood Hills is "rapidly expanding".
"The wind has been blowing consistently at 60-100mph since yesterday morning," Acuna told BBC Radio 4.
"It actually blew harder last night," he said and added, "..it is still significant and because there are a lot of open areas it is extremely dangerous."
Due to shortage of water, the firefighters resorted to collecting water from swimming pools and ponds to douse the fire.
An X post by billionaire Elon Musk shows how several vehicles are in flames due to the wildfire which prompted a state of emergency in California.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 8, 2025
In a separate video, a deer was seen running for an escape route as wildfire rages while major parts of Pacific Palisades were seen being wiped off due to the fire.
Several Hollywood celebrities including Adam Brody, Tom Hanks, Ben Affleck fled their homes which were burnt down.
The wildfire has engulfed the Pacific Palisades area which houses outgoing US vice-president Kamala Harris, Rihanna, Jennifer Aniston.
Major parts of Pacific Palisades has essentially been wiped off the map as the sun rises in Los Angeles
— World Hall Of Fun (@WorldHallOfFun) January 8, 2025
Countless homes and businesses have been turned to ash
And the fire is still 0% contained.
pic.twitter.com/czgBg7O6Py
California governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency.
Shari Shaw, the sister of one of the killed named Victor Shaw, said her brother died in order to protect his home from flames.
"When I went back in and yelled out his name, he didn't reply back," Shari said as quoted by NDTV.
She added, "I had to get out because the embers were so big and flying like a firestorm that I had to save myself. I looked behind me, and the house was starting to go up in flames, and I had to leave."
In an Instagram post, actress Ricki Lake said her "dream home" was lost in fire.
"It’s all gone. I can’t believe I am typing these words. After a valiant and brave effort by our friend and hero @kirbykotler_ Ross and I lost our dream home," she said and added, "This loss is immeasurable."
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