Flames Hit Star-Studded Malibu Enclave

(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.