In a shocking turn of events, David Steiner, a US businessman, miraculously saved his $9 million home in Malibu from the terrible flames in Los Angeles. While the homes of Steiner’s neighbours were reduced to ashes, his own three-story house stood tall and unharmed by the fire.
There are eight wildfires in Los Angeles County, and the Palisades fire is one of them. It has already burned more than 20,000 acres and more than 5,000 homes and businesses. The fires have caused a lot of damage. Famous people like Paris Hilton, Anna Faris, and Billy Crystal have literally lost their houses.
Steiner, a retired waste management tycoon, was shocked to find out that his house had been spared from the fire. After seeing a video of the fire tearing through his neighbourhood, he was ready for the worst. Steiner realised that his “house was all over the news” because it had amazingly survived, not because it had been destroyed. More and more news stories and photos started to come in.
Steiner says that the strong building of his house is the key to its durability. “It was built like a cruise ship,” he said, pointing out the very strong structure, stone and stucco exterior, and safe roof. The 50-foot-deep pilings that hold up the house also helped keep it stable during the fierce blaze.
Steiner is thankful that his house survived the fire, but he also knows that he is one of the lucky people in Los Angeles. He feels bad for people who have lost their houses and memories they held dear. “Don’t pray for me,” he told them. “I lost some things, but other people lost their homes and memories.” My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones.
