Paris Hilton expressed that her “heart has been shattered into countless fragments,” after witnessing the scorched remains of her Malibu beach residence, which has been devastated by wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles.
In an Instagram post, the hotel heiress described herself as “in utter disbelief,” noting that seeing her cherished family memories “turned to ashes” was “heart-wrenching.”
Simultaneously, Mel Gibson revealed that losing his family home and all his possessions in the blaze was “deeply emotional.” The fire occurred while he was recording a segment of the Joe Rogan Experience in Texas.
Follow live: Latest fire examined as possible arson
At least 10 fatalities have been reported due to the wildfires that have raged for four consecutive days, prompting the evacuation of 179,000 residents from their homes. Tens of thousands of acres continue to smolder.
The fires have impacted numerous celebrities, as they have swept through prestigious neighborhoods in Southern California, which are home to film stars and billionaires.
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Celebrities’ homes have burned down in the LA fires
Hilton, aged 43, stated that she viewed her residence succumb to flames on television and shared a video on her social media from within her devastated home.
She expressed gratitude to be safe, along with her husband Carter Reum, and their two children, Phoenix and London, though she was heartbroken over the loss of her family home.
In her Instagram update, she shared: “I’m standing here in what used to be our home, and the anguish is genuinely indescribable.”
“When I initially learned about the incident, I was in sheer disbelief – I couldn’t grasp it. However, now that I stand here and witness it with my own eyes, it feels as though my heart has shattered into countless fragments.”
She had resided in the multi-million-pound property for three years.
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Paris Hilton posts video of destroyed home
Hilton continued: “This residence was not merely a shelter – it was where we envisioned, laughed, and forged the most treasured moments as a family.
“It was the place where [son] Phoenix’s little hands created art that I will hold dear forever, where love and life embraced every nook. To witness it turn to ash… it’s unspeakably heartbreaking.
“What wounds my heart even further is acknowledging that this isn’t just my narrative. Numerous individuals have lost everything. It is beyond mere walls and rooftops – it’s the memories that created those
houses residences. It’s the images, the mementoes, the invaluable fragments of our existence.
She expressed that she felt “immensely fortunate,” stating: “My family, my children, and my pets are unharmed. That is the most crucial aspect”.
She extended her gratitude to the firefighters, emergency personnel, and volunteers, whom she claimed were “all risking their lives” to assist, adding “Even amidst the ruins, there remains beauty in this world”.
Water released by helicopter onto the raging Sunset Fire in Hollywood Hills. Pic: AP
The West Hills area of Los Angeles. Pic: AP
‘When I returned home, it was no longer there’
Gladiator actor Mel Gibson, who was away during the onset of the fires, shared with NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas Reports that the residence he had occupied for over a decade had succumbed to flames while he was guesting on the Joe Rogan podcast.
The 69-year-old performer expressed that it was “overwhelming” to realize all his possessions had been consumed, yet he was striving to maintain a positive outlook.
He remarked feeling “freed from the weight of my belongings, as they’re all reduced to ashes”.
Gibson, who resided in his Hollywood house with his partner, Rosalind Ross, and their seven-year-old son, Lars, recounted discovering the devastation of his home.
“I was engaged in the Rogan conversation… And [I felt] somewhat uneasy while we conversed, as I was aware my neighborhood was ablaze, so I pondered if my residence was safe.
“But upon returning home, to my dismay, it wasn’t there. I returned home and thought, well, at least I don’t have to deal with those infuriating plumbing issues anymore.”
He noted that the family’s pet chickens had survived the fire, and although many “personal items collected over time” were lost, the significant aspects remained intact.
“These are merely objects. And the positive news is that the people in my family and those I cherish are all safe, happy, and healthy; that is all that matters to me, truly.”
LA fires as recorded on Friday morning
The familial residence of Big Lebowski actor Jeff Bridges is also reported to have been lost.
The four-bedroom dwelling, which had remained in the Bridges family for generations, was inherited by Bridges along with his two siblings in 2018, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Tina Knowles, the mother of singer Beyonce, has also suffered the loss of her house in Malibu due to the fires.
Tina Knowles, Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Blue Ivy Carter in December. Pic: AP
She posted a brief video showcasing dolphins frolicking in the ocean on Instagram, stating: “This was the view on my birthday this past weekend from my cozy little bungalow on the shore in Malibu! It was my cherished retreat, my sanctuary, my sacred happy place. Now it is no more!!”
She continued by expressing her appreciation for the fire department and first responders and offered her sympathies to others impacted by the fires.
Mark Owen, a member of Take That, and his family were forced to evacuate their residence, with his spouse Emma Ferguson recounting their awakening to “helicopters, dense black smoke, and winds howling”.
While expressing gratitude for her family’s safety, she remarked that it was “draining” to be “constantly checking online to see if your home is still standing.”
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Steve Guttenberg: ‘I’ve seen such tragedy’
Actor Steve Guttenberg, widely recognized for his part in the Police Academy movie series, has described the fires as “absolutely the worst” he has ever encountered and has been actively assisting affected residents.
Additional celebrities who have lost their homes include Billy Crystal, Miles Teller, Diane Warren, Ricki Lake, Cary Elwes, Milo Ventimiglia, Anna Faris, Adam Brody, and Leighton Meester, alongside Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag.
On Friday, the Recording Academy, which oversees the Grammy Awards, along with charity MusiCares, has committed $1 million (£813,000) to support music artists affected by the fires.
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis has also pledged the same amount for fire relief through her family foundation.
