Heartbreaking drone footage has revealed the extent of the devastation caused by the Los Angeles wildfires, as rows upon rows of houses can be seen reduced to rubble.
The wildfires broke out on Tuesday and have so far killed seven and forced the evacuation of over 130,000. It’s currently estimated that 2,000 homes have burned down in mere days.
There are currently at least five fires burning across LA, the first and biggest one being located in the Pacific Pallisades area – which has the potential to become the most destructive fire in state history.
The Palisades fire has torn through nearly 20,000 acres and is at 6% containment, while the Eaton fire in thr Altadena and Pasadena areas has destroyed 13,700 acres.
Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna said neighborhoods in the west of the city “look like a bomb was dropped in them”.
A suspect was arrested on arson charges on Thursday for allegedly trying to light a fire in Woodland Hills near the Kenneth fire – the newest one. LAPD reportedly arrived to find the man being held down by local residents.
The Kenneth fire is believed to have been started intentionally, the LAPD say, and is now threatening to destroy homes near the exclusive Calabasas and Hidden Hills neighbourhoods, north of the Palisades fire.
The flames are being spread by high winds of up to 100mph, which intially stopped firefighters from tackling them from the air. As a result, homes are burning down at a frighteningly rapid rate.
Of the 2,000 homes destroyed, many belong to some of Hollywood’s best known faces, such as Billy Crystal, Antony Hopkins, and Eguene Levy.
Oscar winner Mr Hopkins had his Pacific Pallisades home reduced to a pile of rubble in the neighbourhood he’s lived in for over 25 years.
Mr Crystal and his wife Janice lost their home in the same area, leaving only the tennis court partially in tact. The pair said they are “heartbroken” as they’d been living there since 1979.
The famous city’s landmarks are also at risk including the Capitol Records building, the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood Bowl.
Arguably the most iconic is the Hollywood sign, which is also near the evacuation area and becoming increasingly under threat as the fire spreads.
