A-lister exodus as fire hits hills
Stars flee homes as California wildfires leave at least 11 dead
CALIFORNIA’S killer wildfires have driven some of Hollywood’s most famous names out of their homes.
Stars including Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Cher were yesterday forced to flee as flames swept towards Malibu.
A-listers were among 250,000 residents ordered to evacuate as the wildfires – thought to have been triggered by a power lines malfunction – kept gathering strength.
So far 11 people have died with more than 35 still missing as thousands of firefighters last night continued to battle the most destructive blaze in California’s history.
British star Orlando Bloom posted a picture of the fires as they neared his house, saying: “This is my street as of two hours ago. Praying for the safety of all my Malibu family.”
Singer and actress Cher tweeted: “I’m worried about my house (is on fire), but there is nothing I can do. Friends’ houses have burned down.”
TV personality Caitlyn Jenner’s Malibu hilltop house was reportedly destroyed. Lady Gaga thanked firefighter “heroes” as she told her 77 million Twitter followers: “I’m thinking deeply for everyone suffering. I’m sitting here wondering if my home will burst into flames. All we can do is pray for each other.” Charlie Sheen issued a desperate appeal for help locating parents Martin and Janet. They were found sheltering on the resort’s Zuma beach. Apocalypse Now star Martin told his children: “We’ll probably sleep in the car tonight.”
DANGER
British stars who have homes in the area include Adele, Pierce Brosnan, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sting, Minnie Driver, Jane Seymour and former Eastender Patsy Palmer. Other houses belonging to Will Smith, Robin Thicke, Rob Lowe and Star Wars legend Mark Hamill were also in danger. Last night firefighters continued to battle three infernos – named Camp Fire, Woolsey Fire and Hill Fire – covering more than 200 square miles. One fire burned an area equivalent to the size of a football field every second as it was fed by 60mph winds and dry vegetation. Five people killed were found either inside cars or near them in the town of Paradise, which was almost destroyed. The town’s mayor said almost 90 per cent of residents lost their homes. “There’s nothing much left standing,” a state fire official said. Meanwhile, Donald Trump sparked fury as he blamed the Democratic-run state for the disaster through “gross mismanagement of the forests”. Thousands of Twitters users hit back with one pointing out: “Trump Tower caught on fire twice recently and you’re too cheap to install sprinklers. Talk about gross mismanagement.”