Celebrity homes destroyed in Southern California wildfire

Los Angeles — Celebrities whose coastal homes have been damaged or destroyed in a Southern California wildfire or were forced to flee from the flames expressed sympathy and solidarity with those hurt worse by the state's deadly blazes, and gave their gratitude to firefighters who kept them safe.

"Returned to my house in Malibu after evacuating," Gerard Butler wrote in an Instagram post next to a photo that showed a burned-out structure and a badly scorched vehicle. "Heartbreaking time across California. Inspired as ever by the courage, spirit and sacrifice of firefighters."

"Half-gone" the 300 actor grumbled in his Scottish accent in a video that shows embers, ashes and what's left of his home.

View this post on Instagram

Returned to my house in Malibu after evacuating. Heartbreaking time across California. Inspired as ever by the courage, spirit and sacrifice of firefighters. Thank you @LosAngelesFireDepartment. If you can, support these brave men and women at SupportLAFD.org. Link in bio.

A post shared by Gerard Butler (@gerardbutler) on Nov 11, 2018 at 10:36am PST

Camille Grammer Meyer of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills lost her Malibu home entirely on Saturday night, her publicist, Howard Bragman, said in an email to The Associated Press.

"Sadly my house couldn't be saved," Meyer, the ex-wife of actor Kelsey Grammer, wrote in an Instagram post that showed a huge house engulfed in flames. "The courageous firefighters were able to save my cars and personal items recovered from my home."

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Sadly my house couldn’t be saved. The courageous firefighters were able to save my cars and personal items recovered from my home. I thanked the fire chief and his team of firemen for all of their hard work. He took the time to explain what happened and I’m grateful for all of their hard work trying to save my home. Sad we lost our home but grateful that my family is safe. Luckily we quickly evacuated our house yesterday after a patrol car drove up the street announcing mandatory evacuations. I’m grateful for my lovely neighbors and friends who kept me informed and for their help this evening. ?? Thank you all for caring ?? #woolseyfire #malibu. Special thanks to Fire Chief Rash and his brave team of firefighters. ??

A post shared by Camille Grammer Meyer (@therealcamille) on Nov 11, 2018 at 1:20am PST

Many others including Orlando Bloom, Alyssa Milano, Lady Gaga, Rainn Wilson and fashion designer Donna Karan were among evacuees. Some knew their homes were safe (for now) and waited for a chance to return. Others were in the dark, posting pictures of plumes of smoke and saying their houses were somewhere in there.

"Stay safe, California — and keep those prayers coming America," Wilson said on his Twitter account, where over the weekend he was sharing photos of some of the more than 100 people missing in the huge wildfire in Northern California that has killed at least 23.

Milano said her house is "still in jeopardy" as strong winds kicked up again Sunday.

UPDATE: Still evacuated. We’ve been under mandatory evacuation since Thurs. We’re safe. House is still in jeopardy. Still no power. Still dealing with flare-ups.

I’m going to rally tonight to receive the @ACLU Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award at the #BillOfRights dinner.

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 11, 2018

AT LEAST 177 HOMES DESTROYED

Southern California's wildfire has killed two and destroyed at least 177 homes. The blaze started Thursday night and pushed toward Malibu and the Pacific Ocean, prompting evacuations in Malibu, Calabasas, Agoura Hills and other nearby areas.

Paramount Ranch's "Western Town," a landmark film location dating back to 1927 that included a jail, hotel and saloon, burned to the ground. The TV series Westworld is among the many productions that have filmed at the ranch in the mountains west of Los Angeles.

We are sorry to share the news that the #WoolseyFire has burned Western Town at #ParamountRanch in Agoura. We do not have any details or photos, but it is our understanding that the structures have burned. This area is an active part of the incident and we cannot access it. pic.twitter.com/oC4n7KR8ZT

— Santa Monica Mtns (@SantaMonicaMtns) November 9, 2018

"LA is a pretty great place but if fires are all we have to deal with, you know, we're lucky," Rules of Engagement actor Oliver Hudson told the AP at a charity event in Culver City. "There's a lot of people in the world who are dealing with a lot more."

Actress Julie Bowen of Modern Family said everyone affected by the flames is deserving of sympathy.

"I think there are lots and lots of people who think of Malibu as just being a celebrity second-home culture," Bowen said at the Culver City event, "but there are people who is this is their first, last and only homes are there and going all up and down those canyons and they're not necessarily, 'who cares they're rich and glamorous they can afford to lose a home'. This is life and death and it's really tragic."