(Getty Images)
Dick Van Dyke and Cher Are Among Celebrities Forced To Evacuate Their Homes as Malibu Wildfires Rip Through Affluent Community
The Malibu wildfires have forced thousands of people to flee the upscale California enclave—including dozens of A-list stars, from Dick Van Dyke and Cher to Julia Roberts.
Firefighters have been working tirelessly to combat the furious blaze, known as the Franklin Fire, as it ripped through Malibu Canyon, scorching more than 2,700 acres and multiple homes as residents fled the affluent area.
The fires had grown to 3,893 acres by 4:25 a.m. PST on Dec. 11. and were at 7% containment.
Officials have yet to reveal the full scale of the destruction; however, it is understood that at least seven structures have been destroyed, while eight others have been damaged. Residential homes are believed to be among those properties impacted.
Van Dyke, 98, and his wife, Arlene Silver, 53, were among the many Malibu residents pushed out of their homes as the flames engulfed the area, with the “Mary Poppins” actor later revealing on Facebook that the pair were safe and sound.
(Instagram/Dick Van Dyke)
(Rocco Spaziani/Archivio Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
(Mario Tama/Getty Images)
However, he shared that one of the couple’s beloved cats, Bobo, escaped as they were leaving their $8 million property.
“We’re praying he’ll be ok,” Van Dyke wrote alongside a picture of the cat, adding, “We’re praying our neighborhood will survive these terrible fires.”
The couple live in the celebrity-filled Serra Retreat community, a coastal enclave which is directly in the line of the Franklin Fire, which is rapidly spreading due to heavy Santa Ana winds in Southern California.
One fan of Van Dyke commented on his post with, “How terrible these wildfires are. Hands go out to all of the Firefighters and First Responders for their aid. As well as the American Blue Cross. Praying that you and your family are safe, as well as your animals, Mr. Van Dyke. Prayers for the whole community.”
The actor is one of many celebrities whose homes are within the evacuation area. In addition to Roberts and Cher, Jonah Hill and Barbra Streisand also own properties within the danger zone.
Cher has owned a mansion in the area for more than three decades—although she has made several recent attempts to offload the property, putting it on the market in 2022 for $85 million, before dropping that price to $75 million in February 2024. It has since been taken off the market.
Meanwhile, Van Dyke purchased his property in 1986. He gave the home, known as “Vandy Manor,” a multitude of upgrades, even installing a waterslide in the outdoor pool.
The iconic entertainer, who has won a host of awards during his lifetime, including a Tony and an Emmy, purchased his three-bedroom, two-bathroom Malibu abode in 1986 for the bargain price of $750,000. Current estimates value the property between $5 million and $8 million today.
Set on a third of an acre, the 1973 build offered 2,226 square feet of living space. It appears Van Dyke has expanded the home to provide more room for himself and his second wife, Silver, who he wed in 2012.
(Google Maps)
(Realtor.com)
Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino was also among the evacuees, writing on X: “All my Malibu friends and neighbors I pray that you are safe. We evacuated in the middle of the night, kids and pets all accounted for! Scary times!!”
Malibu is home to roughly 11,000 residents, including many celebrities, like Beyoncé, Jay Z, Nicolas Cage, and model Karlie Kloss.
The wildfire started late on Dec. 9 and, within just a few hours, grew from 100 acres to over 2,600 acres of live fire. It quickly crossed over Pacific Coast Highway and grew close to the historic Malibu Pier, but it was protected.
Word of the fire began to spread at 11 p.m. PST as residents smelled smoke. By dawn, at 3 a.m. PST, the fire had scorched over 1,822 acres with zero containment.
Over 6,000 residents have since been forced to flee the area, including those living in the tony Malibu neighborhoods Sweetwater Canyon and Point Dume.
Nearby, Pepperdine University students and staff were ordered to shelter in place on campus as flames grew closer.
Over 1,500 firefighters are on-site battling the fires, and the fire department has established a base in nearby Calabasas.
In total, about 20,000 people were forced to flee the area and power to about 40,000 customers has been shut off as firefighters battle the flames.
In California, wildfires have burned more than a million acres this year alone, and real estate experts say a lack of insurance coverage has killed at least 13% of deals.
As the state increasingly faces climate risks, Farmers Insurance, Allstate, USAA, and The Hartford have previously declared a pause on issuing new policies to homeowners in California. State Farm halted the sale of insurance for new homes in the state last summer and is pursuing rate increases of up to 52% for certain residential policies.
No comments:
Post a Comment