During the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, 74-year-old Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep experienced a heart-stopping moment when she was forced to evacuate. Her nephew Abe Streep, in an article for “The New York Magazine,” detailed the harrowing process she went through. On January 8, as Meryl Streep tried to leave in compliance with the evacuation order, she found a large tree had fallen across the driveway, blocking the only way out.
Determined to escape, she borrowed a pair of wire cutters from a neighbor and cut a hole in the shared fence wide enough for the car to pass through, making her escape route through the neighbor’s yard.
The Oscar winner reportedly purchased the Pasadena house for $3.6 million in 2017.
On January 7, multiple fires including the Palisades fire and Eaton fire broke out, leading to the evacuation of thousands of residents, including many celebrities.
Paris Hilton, Martin Short, Mel Gibson, Mandy Moore, Haley Joel Osment, Adam Brody, Leighton Meester, as well as reality TV stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, lost their homes in the fires.
Actor Osment also spoke to Abe Streep, detailing the personal impact of the disaster on him and his family. His father also lost his home.
In addition to losing his home, Osment lost 500 records and a piano that his parents gave him on his 18th birthday.
Despite the loss, Osment expressed his plans to rebuild his home as he has a strong attachment to the Altadena area. However, reflecting on the fire, he questioned the delayed response to the crisis.
He said, “Not to pinpoint blame at anyone, just wondering, when everything is thoroughly investigated—whether a decision was made to abandon the entire community?”
The Palisades fire and Eaton fire are considered the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office report, 29 people lost their lives in the fires.
Although official assessments of the losses are ongoing, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection report, over 16,000 structures were destroyed or damaged, and more than 57,000 acres of land were consumed by the flames.
As of the afternoon of January 28, the Palisades fire was 96% contained, while the Eaton fire was 99% under control.