EastEnders star Patsy Palmer shares relief as her LA home survives wildfires. The London-native actress, aged 52, currently in the UK capital, has revealed her property in Malibu faced flames twice but is “miraculously ok”.
Her husband Richard Merkell and their kids Fenton and Emilia were evacuated amid the devastating California fires which claimed at least 11 lives, decimated communities, and prompted mass evacuations. Palmer took to social media with videos of belongings saved over Christmas after clearing out her garage post a nearby blaze that consumed a neighbour’s house and adjacent land.
Expressing her trauma, she said: “I experienced a small part of what it feels like to have lost everything we own and it was painful enough so to experience this again is beyond words.”
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She opened up about the psychological impact: “It’s traumatic for everyone to lose everything they own and the precious memories that we often don’t know that we have in our garages.”
Reflecting on material possessions, she remarked: “We laugh and say get rid of it but when it is taken it hits different.”
The Bethnal Green-born actress also commented on the contrast between her origins and current calamities: “I come from Bethnal Green and it’s a world away from these types of disasters.”
Affirming her family and pets’ safety, Palmer emphasized their intention to support relief efforts: “My family and pets are safe and I know (they) will be doing what they can to help.”
This follows the evacuation of Malibu residents last month due to the wind-fuelled Franklin Fire, where celebs like Dick Van Dyke and Cher had to flee as over 4,000 acres were scorched.
US reality star Paris Hilton has set up an emergency fund to help those affected by the wildfires, contributing a hefty $100,000 (£82,000) after her Malibu home was destroyed. “While I’ve lost my Malibu home, my thoughts are with the countless families who have lost so much more – their homes, cherished keepsakes, the communities they loved, and their sense of stability,” she shared on Instagram.
Patsy Palmer is returning to EastEnders as Bianca Jackson
(Image: BBC)
Hilton’s residence fell victim to the Pacific Palisades fire that erupted on Tuesday and is currently the most destructive blaze in Los Angeles, having consumed over 21,000 acres. She explained that the funds raised would aid in providing temporary housing and financial support to displaced families, supply necessities to evacuation centres, and bolster local animal shelters.
Meanwhile, US actress Jennifer Garner has been actively volunteering, offering food relief to evacuees and firefighters, collaborating with World Central Kitchen founder chef Jose Andres at one of the charity’s numerous makeshift sites across California. An emotional Garner, surveying the ruins of her hometown where she lived for 25 years, spoke to MSNBC: “I did lose a friend, and for our church it’s really tender, so I don’t feel like I should talk about her yet.”
“I did lose a friend who did not get out in time.”
She added, feeling a sense of survivor’s guilt: “I feel almost guilty walking through my house, what can I do, how can I help, what can I offer? “.
Numerous Hollywood celebrities have been using their influence to share links to evacuation resources and donation pages in the wake of recent wildfires. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were spotted visiting a meal distribution site, offering comfort and support to those affected.
Sharon Stone, an Oscar-nominated actress, urged her fellow stars to donate to a local distribution centre. This call to action inspired Halle Berry, an Oscar-winning actress, to donate “my entire closet” to assist displaced families in need of basic necessities.
Michelle Pfeiffer, another Oscar nominee, and Chrishell Stause from Selling Sunset also expressed their intentions to drop off items. Jason Oppenheim from Selling Sunset offered free representation to help people find homes.
Following the evacuation of the Kardashian family from their homes, Kris Jenner revealed that they had approached their favourite Armenian restaurant to “feed a few fire houses”. Kim Kardashian made a generous donation to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, which provides crucial resources to first responders, and donated underwear, clothing, and socks to Baby2Baby to aid those displaced by the fires.
LiveNation, an entertainment company, announced a charity concert, FireAid, set to take place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, dedicated to rebuilding communities ravaged by wildfires and supporting efforts to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California.
The event is being promoted as an “evening of music and solidarity” set for January 30, though the lineup of performers is yet to be confirmed. High-profile celebrities including Billy Crystal of ‘When Harry Met Sally’, Cary Elwes from ‘The Princess Bride’, and Academy Award-winning actor Jeff Bridges are among those who have lost their homes in the disaster.
Mel Gibson, the Oscar-winning actor and director, revealed that his home was destroyed by fire while he was recording an episode of the Joe Rogan podcast. TV personality Melissa Rivers reported to CNN that she managed to rescue her late mother Joan Rivers’ Emmy award while evacuating her house.
The wildfires have caused chaos within the entertainment industry, leading to the postponement of major events such as the Critics Choice Awards and the announcement of the Oscar nominations.