‘EastEnders’ star Patsy Palmer has shared her distress after nearly losing all her possessions in the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. The actress confirmed that her family and home are safe, despite her Malibu residence being threatened by flames twice recently, including just before Christmas.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, she said: “Our house is miraculously ok again. 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. We laugh and say get rid of it but when it is taken it hits different.”
She continued: “I come from Bethnal Green and it’s a world away from these types of disasters. My family and pets are safe and I know (they) will be doing what they can to help,” she said.
Sharing more details on Instagram, she revealed: “The week before Christmas I received a call at 2am LA time from my husband telling me they had been evacuated due to fire surrounding our house in Malibu. The whole neighbourhood was on fire.”
“I flew home to our precious home still standing but our neighbours had gone and the land next door burned. We cleaned out the garage finding things from years ago that we kept. Precious memories, photos, keepsakes etc. I felt an overwhelming sadness that we nearly lost these things.”, reports Plymouth Live.
“We had the most grateful Christmas to date enjoying being together mostly, still in our home. I left back to London to work with a full heart never expecting this to happen a week later. 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.”
“Our house is miraculously ok again. 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. We laugh and say get rid of it but when it is taken it hits different. In 2018 a bit part of Malibu burned it was shocking to the core, we lost a rental so we were without a home for 3 months it was hard on the kids.”
“I come from Bethnal Green and its a world away from these types of disasters. Having been through that though I also know how amazing community can be . It was so beautiful to see how everyone pulled together and helped everybody with things and trauma and just everything really.”
“My family and pets are safe and I know will be doing what they can to help . Its surreal as you drive 20 minuite up the road and its like nothing is happening. The sun is shining and life is going on (Thank God ) but yes it’s surreal for sure. Sending all of my energy to everyone today.”
Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department stand vigilant as they battle wildfires in Los Angeles
(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
“May you be blessed with healing love and so much understanding at this crazy time.”
Since the outbreak of fires across a densely populated, 25-mile stretch north of central LA, over 12,000 structures have been scorched, including homes, apartment buildings, businesses, outbuildings, and vehicles. The cause of the largest blazes remains unknown.
The finger-pointing over leadership failures and political accountability has already started, alongside investigations. Governor Gavin Newsom demanded answers on Friday, instructing state officials to look into why a 117-million gallon reservoir wasn’t operational and why some fire hydrants were dry, labelling the situation “deeply troubling”.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has also voiced her concerns, stating that city leaders let down her department by not allocating sufficient funds for firefighting and criticising the water supply issues. “When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there’s going to be water,” she remarked.
The death toll from the fires stands at at least 11 people, as reported by the LA County medical examiner’s office, with expectations that this number will increase once cadaver dogs complete their search through the devastated neighbourhoods, an area exceeding the size of San Francisco.
Authorities established a centre on Friday for reporting missing persons. With tens of thousands still under evacuation orders, the fires have ravaged approximately 56 square miles.
An aerial view of homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire
(Image: Getty Images)
The calamity has stripped homes from individuals across all walks of life, from waiters to movie stars.
The government has yet to disclose the cost of the damage, but private companies predict it will rise into the tens of billions. The Walt Disney Co announced on Friday that it will contribute 15 million dollars (£12.3 million) towards fire response and reconstruction efforts.
The fires have affected schools, churches, a synagogue, libraries, boutiques, bars, restaurants, banks and local landmarks such as the Will Rogers’ Western Ranch House, and a mansion in Altadena that dates back to 1887.