Wildfire ravages celebrity-rich LA neighborhood (VIDEOS)

Many properties in the elite Pacific Palisades area have been destroyed in the blaze

Powerful wildfires have continued to devour Los Angeles’ affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Wednesday, with the authorities struggling to contain what has been described as the most destructive blaze in the city’s history. 

Photos and videos show whole blocs completely devastated by the raging flames. ABC7 reporter Josh Haskell, who grew up in the area, said it “feels like 50 to 75% of Pacific Palisades is gone.” 

Pacific Palisades, located between Santa Monica and Malibu, contains some of America’s most expensive real estate, including mansions owned by Hollywood actors, such as Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, and Michael Keaton, according to Business Insider. 

“El Starbucks de Palisades Village está irreconocible después de ser devastado por el fuego. ‘The Business Block’ en Pacific Palisades parece estar completamente quemado. Tenía 100 años, fue puesto en funcionamiento en 1924…”.

via @JonVigliottipic.twitter.com/PM12eH5kYq

— Pichu Ruas (@PichuRuas) January 9, 2025

More than 1,000 structures have burned down, the California Fire Department said. At least five people have been killed and 70,000 more were forced to leave their homes. 

INTERNACIONALES | ESTADOS UNIDOS #qhubointernacionales. Sunset Blvd en Pacific Palisades prácticamente ha desaparecido. El incendio continúa propagándose y hasta ahora ha sido controlado en un 0%.

VÍDEO CORTESÍA pic.twitter.com/tno5NJdsFa

— Q’hubo TV Oficial (@Qhubotvoficial) January 9, 2025

This is Pacific Palisades, CA right now!! pic.twitter.com/8h2T4E7X6M

— Pismo (@Pismo_B) January 9, 2025

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has been criticized online for embarking on a trip to Africa over the weekend, amid warnings about an incoming windstorm at home. Politicians and developers also blasted her for slashing the budget of the fire department by $17.6 million last year. In his Wednesday post on X, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk labelled Bass “utterly incompetent.”