A massive wildfire has wreaked havoc in the popular Pacific Palisades area, beloved by celebrities. The home where the late actor Matthew Perry sadly passed away last year is now caught in the midst of these disastrous wildfires that have hit Los Angeles hard in the past few days. More than 130,000 people are facing evacuation orders throughout California, and many Hollywood stars are feeling the impact.
The fire broke out in the Pacific Palisades area on Tuesday, fueled by winds reaching up to 100mph, which helped it spread through the valleys and canyons to the north and west of Los Angeles.
Cal Fire reports that since Tuesday, over 25,000 acres in the Palisades and more than 10,000 acres in the nearby Easton neighborhood have been burned.
Realtor.com noted that on Wednesday, the fire had encircled Perry’s old property, with neighbors posting terrifying videos of the fast-approaching flames online.
The Friends actor passed away in October 2023 after losing consciousness and drowning in his hot tub, which was in the backyard of his four-bedroom, five-bathroom home.
Perry had just bought and moved into the house a few months before his tragic death. It was sold to a new owner for an impressive $8.55 million in December.
As reported by the LA Times, much of Los Angeles County is still under a red flag warning, with forecasts suggesting that dangerous fire conditions will continue through the weekend.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office reported that five people lost their lives due to the wildfires.
Many celebrities have shared their experiences of having to evacuate, with some revealing that their homes have been destroyed.
Actor Billy Crystal expressed his sorrow in a statement, saying he and his wife Janice are “heartbroken” over the loss of their Pacific Palisades home, which they’ve called home since 1979.
The When Harry Met Sally star mentioned, “We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every corner of our house was filled with love. Those beautiful memories can never be taken away. We are, of course, heartbroken, but with the support of our children and friends, we will get through this.”
Paris Hilton took to Instagram to share that she lost her Malibu home, stating: “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 with every family affected by these fires.”