More stars have shared messages about the fires currently ripping through Los Angeles, the heart of the entertainment industry.
Gwyneth Paltrow shared this post on Instagram, saying she and her family are themselves safe, but have friends who have “lost everything”.
British actor Richard E Grant also posted a message of support on Instagram, writing: “Have friends who’ve lost their homes to the fires, and many others who have had to evacuate.”
Brit who lost home compares devastation to ‘atomic bomb’ site – but reveals cause for hope
A British man who lives in one of the worst-effected parts of Los Angeles lost his “amazing home” in the fires – leaving his neighbourhood looking like “an atomic bomb’s hit it”.
Andrew Stalbow has lived in the Pacific Palisades – where the first and biggest fire is still burning – since 2008 and is used to wildfires in the area, but said this one was like “an apocalypse”.
He didn’t have time to take any belongings with him, telling reporters that he has lost pictures of his late grandfather in the wreckage.
“I don’t recognise anything,” he said.
“It hasn’t just hit one house, it’s hit everybody. The whole village, schools, restaurants, everything we’ve got is turned to dust and it looks like an atomic bomb’s hit it.”
His wife, a nursery teacher, was at school when the evacuation order was made and had to scramble to collect their children just as everyone was driving away from the area.
“She did a brilliant job,” Mr Stalbow said.
“My wife… there’s a real hero of this. I think we’re all just thankful that we’re alive and, most of all my, friends are fine, but everyone’s lives have been ruined and destroyed.”
‘British spirit’ hope
He also praised “unbelievable” firefighters, who he said have been “so brave” despite apparent problems with water supply.
And he’s confident the community will recover.
“I don’t recognise anything, everything’s going to have to be rebuilt,” he said.
“I think with a little bit of British spirit and some American optimism, I think you put the two together – I think everyone’s going to look at it and say, right, it’s time to rebuild.”
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