Flames Hit Star-Studded Malibu Enclave

Actress Suzanne Somers Among Those Who Lost Home; Cause Of 20-Acre Blaze Probed

(CBS/AP)  Firefighters watched for flareups Tuesday in an exclusive seaside neighborhood after a fast-moving wildfire swept through multimillion-dollar homes, destroying four and a guest house. Actress Suzanne Somers' home was one of four destroyed.

Four other houses were significantly damaged by the wind-driven fire Monday, and one resident who was not identified was hospitalized because of smoke inhalation.

Properties were still smoldering early Tuesday and about 150 firefighters and arson investigators were on the scene.

"Right now we cannot speculate about how this happened," Inspector Rick Dominguez said early Tuesday.

CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reported that it took only minutes for the multimillion dollar homes to be engulfed by flames fed by wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour and low humidity.

Even firefighters couldn't believe how quickly the flames spread. "When I first arrived on the scene I was totally amazed by the wind," Los Angeles County Fire Dept. Captain Mike Brown told Whitaker.

The blaze was fanned by Santa Ana wind as it raced through the celebrity enclave near Pepperdine University. "Red flag" fire danger warnings posted by the National Weather Service remained in effect for much of Southern California because of the strong wind and low humidity.

"Anything that was down there that could burn, did burn," said County Fire Chief Michael Freeman.

Malibu Mayor Ken Kearsley told CBS's The Early Show that the fire had grown too intense before fire engines could get to the scene, leaving no hope for four oceanfront home engulfed by flames: "Not a prayer in the world."

Within 20 minutes after the fire started, the only safe escape route was Malibu Road, better known as the old Pacific Coast Highway.

"We told everybody to get out," Kearsley told the Los Angeles Times. "People were getting out as fast as possible."

Fire officials didn't release the names of property owners who lost homes, but actress Victoria Principal was among those who rushed out to hose down their houses after the fire was reported about 5 p.m. Monday.

Her publicist, Alan Nierob, said her home wasn't damaged. "She covered her house with water," he said.

Victoria Pinero, co-owner of Little Angels Pet Services, which takes care of dogs and other animals, was housesitting at one of the homes destroyed in the blaze. She said she wasn't home at the time the fire erupted, but rushed back to save the owners' four dogs.

She said she found two dogs, but "we are still looking for the last two dogs. ... We did everything we could," she said, crying. "For these people, the dogs were basically their children."

The blaze burned near the Malibu Colony, one of the area's original beachfront neighborhoods, dating to the 1930s. The densely built stretch of luxury homes has been a favorite of celebrities over the years.

Residents of Malibu include Mel Gibson, Pierce Brosnan, Pamela Anderson, Barbra Streisand, Ted Danson, David Geffen, and Courteney Cox-Arquette.

Malibu has frequently been the scene of devastating fires. In 1993, hundreds of homes were lost and three people were killed. A 1996 fire injured 11 people and destroyed six homes.

[jetlizhan]

You ignorant ill-informed biased justfacts2 - yes she does but she doesn't want any 'rewards' for it - there was a beautiful biracial girl in our home town (Kinston, NC) that wanted to do nothing but dance; hence, her parents could not afford dancing lessons. This girl's Dad is a friend of my son's (Jaime's brother). Jaime arranged and paid for this girl to have dancing lessons until she graduates from high school (she's now 12 yrs old) - this is only one example of what Jaime does for kids. There's a lot more - but like i said, she and we don't want the media to be in every aspect of her life. She does a lot from the heart, and doesn't need public support or accolades. And she/we certainly don't need your approval.

[nothappyatall]

How come the entire calvary and everyone else rushes in to aid rich movie star, cover their mansions burning, while people from N.O. are STILL without proper shelter, jobs etc?
Some of these movie stars and rich folk were born with a um... silver spoon up their arse, especially those whose money was inherited from daddy's estate

There's a clip up now, this rich teen girl's father buys her a brand new expensive car for her birthday as a surprise, she was all UPSET and angry that it wasn't the COLOR she wanted and was throwing a fit about it!!! some of these people you just want to slap upside the head. Her daddy should have given her a camera to take a photo of the car she HAD before taking the car back to the DEALER;

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e4d7376448&p=1

[nothappyatall]

Generalist01: you hit the problem on the head, and it goes right back to BUILD SMART not stupid, and building huge mansions on steep hillsides where mudslides occur, where wild fires occur and earthquakes occur is STUPID not smart. Ditto for those same people who build on the beach and then get bent out of shape when the inevitable happens, and invariably the tell the media they will REBUILD, right there is the SAME spot.
So either they have money coming out their arse, or they are insured to the hilt and it's covered, but the insurance co's are in business to make money,they are NOT a charity, so every dime of expense they incurr they pass that one and more to ALL policy holders. Trouble is, one $50,000,000 mansion burning down is more than a small town in the Midwest having 100 homes destroyed by a tornado which no one can prevent or get advance warning of like brush fires.

People and the media have made celebrities elevated to near god-like status, you see this with the national obsession with them and their lives. MEANWHILE and entire city- New Orleans is destroyed and tens of thousands dead/displaced/homeless and even now the whole situation is STILL screwed up!

Where's the media NOW?
Where's "Good job Brownies" replacement NOW?

[cantshutup]

How many people lost everything in New Orleans? How many died? Were injured? Traumatized? Families split up? Lives destroyed forever? How many deaths at the WTC? How many Americans dying in iraq for that crazy, worthless S.O.B in the whitehouse? Some rich person lost a fancy home in cali-for-nia?????????...COULDN"T CARE LESS!

[justfacts2]

Tell me, though, does your precious Jaime give back to the community in any way? I am sure she is a good person, but being involved and giving back to your community in some way is far more important than how hard of a worker she is.

[jetlizhan]

oleander8 - i agree with you 100%. Most of the rich weren't always rich. My son's half sister is Jaime Pressly and that girl has worked her little butt off in the last 15 yrs. She works so hard on the set and then works even harder on her clothing line (she's definitely 'hands on' with her business). She does so much for friends and family. At Christmas, she was so relaxed and funny (with her little baby bump showing) because she was with her family. She always want to know how everyone is doing and never mentions money, fame, parties, houses, furnishings, etc. She loves her craft (acting)and is getting better at it year after year. She was an extraordinary little girl and she's an even more extraordinary young woman. We love her and the person she's become.

[sandefucacab]

I guess I am not surprised at the comments concerning the wealthy celebrities and their losses. Each of us, though, needs to keep in mind that these individuals began at the bottom and worked at what they do best to get to the top.. they have succeeded in their pursuits -- and many are using their wealth to help others. Whether they do or do not, though, is not the point. In times of crises, we are all brought to the same level. The loss of everything we own, is felt the same no matter who we are and no matter how wealthy or well-known we are.
I am saddened when I see so many without compassion for individuals facing major devastation not of their own making! I hope this is not a sign of our future.

[justfacts2]

Isn't it just sickening that the news is making such a big deal over something that happens every year, and these celebrities have the money and means to rebuild. And yet, here we are 1 1/2 years later and Louisiana has YET to see any progress! This is what happens when greedy gusses get too big for their britches. I have very little, if any, sympathy for these celebrities when I see REAL people in Louisiana who are suffering.

[generalist01]

I'm afraid that the option of clearing brush in many Southern California canyons doesn't really exist. Those areas are part of a chaparral biome, which means that it requires occasional fires to remain healthy. Building in the area requires large setbacks, special construction and fireproof materials if you want to do it right.

Planting other things would require lots of water, which Southern California has to import. Add to that the fact that a lot of those canyons are very steep, and you have even more problems with brush control.

It will get even more interesting when the rains hit. Some 'natives' joke about Southern California having the seasons of summer, fire and mud.

[oleander8]

They're Santana's to anyone who cares to Google it. And to all you folks gloating about the rich people being on the receiving end of this disaster ....meow, your envy is showing.

[nothappyatall]

Thanks mo005 and lestb35, some may not my style, candidness, outspokeness or being "in your face" like a pitbull at times, but when I see something objectionable I don't play the PC games nor going along with the crowd of peers who pat each other on the back for all agreeing ont he same stuff.
As far as personal disasters go, I have been there as well to a degree in several ways over the years, including being flooded out in a rental and no insurance, working 1 full and 4 PT jobs to make ends meet in NYC with it's outrageous rents, victim of landlords who DOUBLE your rent, victim of street muggings there, burglary victim twice. I've moved cross-country for a job/new life that didn't pan out, lost what little I had, didnt have a car and was living in an RV parked on the street for weeks after being evicted one hot July- I picked blueberries one week by the flat.

Now 20 years later I OWN my home, make a decent income plus I own my own business, I don't forget the old days, but then neither do I forget watching people do insane things like complain about a little scratch on their $65,000 car while homeless people can't get food and shelter, I watch while we sent billions overseas to chithole countries who hate us while people HERE die in their hovels from lack of being able to afford their POWER BILL- they used kerosene and died of asphixiation.
So now you see where I'm coming from on many of these social issues!

[ladyjpl]

I have to agree with newster1 also. Those who have the big policies need to pay for the damages they incur and not have insurance companies spreading it over those of us who never have a claim and live conservatively. I regret their inconveniences, but that is their choice.

[mo005]

I read them all and agree that newster1 is the only person here worth reading, thanks for the comments you said it all for us.

[lestb35]

I agree with you newster1, all of our insurance premiums go up. You can bet these mansions will be rebuilt ASAP.

[vancouverboo]

It will be weeks before they track down the owners. They have to find them first. No telling which of their many other houses in whichever other countries they are in from time to time. Poor dears.

[smurfetta1]

Santa Ana, Santana. There is a Mtn range above the San Fernando Valley called Santana. The winds have always been called Santa Ana however, santana meaning devil wind fits and is often used to describe this particular condition in S Ca. I have also been here a gazillion years and have heard both. Whatever you call them they can be disasterous. And I were prosperous enough I just might have a ahome in a high risk area, you'd be sure that I could afford insurance.

[gladys_over]

RE: "Actress Victoria Principal, best known for her star turn on the classic primetime soap "Dallas," was among the residents who rushed out to hose down their houses."

J.R. Ewing started the fire. I just know it.

[canaima]

Perhaps, Plowhandle, some devastating disaster will come about in your life in the future.

If so, remember then how you made light of this disaster & how childish & idiotic this post was. I doubt if you'll be laughing.

[plowhandle]

Tomato, to-mah-toe. Santana/Santa Ana.

I just think it's too bad Mel Gibson's Rehab Hut wasn't at least scorched by the fire.

More proof, I guess, he's chosen of Gawd!

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

[shengirl]

From what I've read, schoolteachers, store owners and a barkeep also live in Malibu, not just the very wealthy. And the main area of brush that burned was on public land; the mayor and others are questioning why it wasn't kept clear. A bit late for that now, isn't it? Why isn't brush clearing part of regular upkeep? In these wildfires the firefighters usually try to save homes first, that's not at all unusual. But here it seems the fire was so intense and fast, they left some of the homes to burn and worked on keeping it from spreading. Check out a few facts before you rant, people.