Star of The Hills and Made In Chelsea Reveals Family Homes Destroyed in LA Wildfires | Entertainment & Arts News
A reality television star, recognized for her roles on shows such as The Hills and Made In Chelsea, has informed Sky News that her family has lost their homes in the devastating California wildfires.
Stephanie Pratt, who is a model and the sister of reality personality Spencer Pratt, resides in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. Over 30,000 residents have evacuated their homes due to the rapidly spreading fire.
The Los Angeles Fire Chief, Anthony Marrone, stated on Wednesday that the Palisades fire continues to expand, having scorched “well over 5,000 acres”.
So far, at least two fatalities have been reported, along with the destruction of around 1,000 structures.
Follow latest: Two killed in LA wildfires
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The flames burning down a home in Los Angeles. Pic: AP
Some of the damage after the wildfire. Pic: AP
California Governor Gavin Newsom has previously declared a state of emergency due to the four wildfires in the southern region of the state.
In an emotional interview with Sky News from London, Ms. Pratt shared, “It’s just so crazy, I had no idea what was happening.”
“I spoke to my dad yesterday, and he said ‘The Palisades is burning’. He mentioned that he was at my brother’s house on Chautauqua [Boulevard], and they were just witnessing the flames come.”
“The firefighters arrived and told them they had to evacuate.”
Former Made In Chelsea star Stephanie Pratt speaking to Sky News
Map showing wildfires in California.
‘I don’t know if my house is there’
Ms. Pratt confirmed that her parents and brother Spencer, another star from The Hills, had been evacuated safely from the area.
However, the 38-year-old expressed her concern that “all of the phones are disconnected,” leaving her uncertain about the status of her own home.
“I spoke to my neighbor last night, and she informed me that [Palisades Charter High School] was burned down, which is right behind my house, and also Gelson’s Supermarket nearby,” she recounted.
“I just can’t contact anyone to find out if my house is safe. I searched online, and it said it was destroyed… I have no idea if my house is still standing.”
Read more:
Terrifying firestorm tears through film stars’ homes
Why are there wildfires in January?
Reality TV personality Stephanie Pratt in 2010. Pic: Reuters
‘This is where they raised their kids’
When she inquired about Spencer, 41, who is married to 38-year-old Heidi Montag, another colleague from The Hills, Ms. Pratt said her father responded, “I’ve never seen him like this.”
“I assume he’s just completely in shock,” she remarked. “We don’t care about the material possessions; it’s just that this was their family home.”
“This is where they brought up their two young children.”
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2008. Pic: Reuters
The Palisades fire is among five active wildfires currently raging in southern California. Evacuation orders were also issued on Tuesday in Altadena following another fire, named the Eaton fire, which ignited near a nature preserve.
A third fire, referred to as the Hurst fire, also swept through Sylmar in the northern part of the city.
Additionally, according to Cal Fire, two more fires—the Woodley fire in Los Angeles and the Tyler fire in Riverside—broke out on Wednesday.
