The wildfire burning free in Los Angeles for days has reached Hollywood triggering mandatory evacuations Wednesday evening.
More than 1,000 structures have been destroyed as six separate blazes burn in and around the city, which is dotted with film stars’ mansions.
Some of the worst devastation was in the scenic enclave of Pacific Palisades, where a wind-whipped inferno exploded from several hundred acres to more than 15,000 in size since Tuesday.
A swathe of the neighbourhood, which is a haven of hillside streets nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains and winding down to beaches along the Pacific Ocean, was reduced to ash.
Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal and Adam Brody are among the celebrities who have lost homes the deadly wildfires
Actor James Woods, who starred in films including Nixon and Casino, broke down in tears on CNN as he described losing his Pacific Palisades property.
“One day you’re swimming in the pool and the next day it’s all gone,” he told the network.
He wiped away tears as he described how his wife’s eight-year-old niece offered them her piggybank to help rebuild their house.
Actor Crystal said in a statement that he and his wife Janice were “heartbroken” by the loss of their Pacific Palisades home where they had lived 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.”
Hotel heiress Paris Hilton said she had lost her home in Malibu.
She wrote in an Instagram post: “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.
“This home is where we built so many precious memories… My heart and prayers are going out to every family affected by these fires.” BBC
