Los Angeles fires: Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal homes burned down as other celebrities evacuated

8 January 2025, 15:23 | Updated: 9 January 2025, 08:59

Hollywood celebrities are among the thousands of people who have been evacuated, as some have had their homes burned down by fires ripping through parts of Los Angeles.

The likes of Paris Hilton and actor Billy Crystal have both had their houses burned down amid the ongoing fires in California.

Meanwhile, Sky News' US correspondent Martha Kelner reported that Tom Hanks, Ben Affleck and Reese Witherspoon were all evacuated as wildfires continued to spread in the Pacific Palisades suburb of LA.

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Hilton and Crystal both described the anguish of losing the homes they raised their children in, with the socialite saying she was "heartbroken beyond words" to see her Malibu home "burn to the ground on live TV".

The blaze spreading in the Palisades is one of at least five raging in California.

The area, which is home to billionaires as well as Hollywood A-listers, is located between Santa Monica and Malibu.

Thousands of firefighters are trying to contain the blaze, with a new fire breaking out in Hollywood Hills, threatening a host of tourist sites including the Walk of Fame.

'The loss is overwhelming'

In a post on social media, Hilton said: "This home was where we built so many precious memories. It's where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with London.

"While the loss is overwhelming, I'm holding onto gratitude that my family and pets are safe."

In a joint statement, US actor Crystal and his wife Janice confirmed their home of 46 years was also destroyed in the blaze.

"Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing," the couple said.

They added: "Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can't be taken away."

It comes as Oscar-winning Jamie Lee Curtis confirmed her home was safe but "our beloved neighbourhood is gone" as she shared videos of the blaze on her Instagram.

Writer and actor Steve Guttenberg told Sky News he witnessed panic attacks and despair as he tried to help residents as the flames closed in.

The Police Academy star said: "There were mothers trying to find their kids.

"There were panic attacks. It was terrible. And that's when the fires just lit up."

The likes of Sandra Lee, Ricki Lake and Cameron Mathison all lost their homes to the fires as well.

Meanwhile, Oscar-winning songwriter Diane Warren said she had also lost her home of 30 years in the fires, adding that her animals had survived.

The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag also confirmed they had lost their home in the fires.

Other celebrities who have fled their homes include the award-winning actor James Woods, who said he had been safely evacuated from his home in Pacific Palisades.

But he added in a post on X: "I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing."

Actor Mark Hamill, best known for playing Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars films, also posted on social media on Wednesday saying he evacuated his home in Malibu and his family were "fleeing for our lives".

This Is Us actress Mandy Moore was also forced to leave her home due to the fires.

She said in two Instagram stories she had fled the Eaton fire with her children, cats and dog, which is raging near Altadena, where Sky News correspondent David Blevins has reported live. They have found temporary refuge with friends.

The actress said: "Trying to shield the kids from the immense sadness and worry I feel.

"Praying for everyone in our beautiful city. So gutted for the destruction and loss. Don't know if our place made it."

Three awards ceremonies planned for this weekend have been postponed.

According to Velvet Ropes, which maps celebrity properties, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Matt Damon, Steven Spielberg, Hilary Swank and Sally Field all have homes close to where fires are raging.

Dr Dre, Adam Brody and Leighton Meester, Tyra Banks, Martin Short, Anna Faris, Milo Ventimiglia, Linda Cardellini, Mary McDonnell, Adam Sandler, Miles Teller, and Jennifer Love Hewitt are also said to have houses in affected areas.

In neighbouring Malibu, which was also affected by fires in December, stars including Beyonce and Jay-Z, Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish are said to be among the celebrity residents.

The Palisades blaze has already burnt through nearly 16,000 acres of land while the Eaton one, covering over 10,000 acres, has caused the death of five people.

Three other fires, the Hurst fire, Lidia fire and Sunset fire, are all raging as emergency services battle to try and bring them under control.

(c) Sky News 2025: Los Angeles fires: Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal homes burned down as other celebrities evacuated