In a dramatic turn of events, the legendary actress Meryl Streep made a bold escape from her Pasadena home as devastating fires swept through Los Angeles. The fires, which began on January 7, claimed the lives of 28 people and destroyed more than 16,000 structures, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Streep's home was perilously close to the Eaton fire, prompting an evacuation order on January 8. Her nephew, Abe Streep, recounted her harrowing escape in an article for New York magazine, highlighting her determination amidst chaos.
Meryl Streep faced an enormous obstacle when a large tree fell across her driveway, blocking her path to safety. Undeterred, she borrowed wire cutters from a neighbor and cut a car-sized hole in her garden fence, creating a makeshift escape route through her neighbor's yard.
"Determined to make it out, she borrowed wire cutters from a neighbour, cut a car-size hole in the fence she shared with the neighbours on the other side, and drove through their yard to escape." – Abe Streep
The fires also wreaked havoc on other celebrities' homes. Martin Short, Streep's co-star, encountered severe difficulties as he tried to evacuate his Palisades residence. Despite his attempts to flee, Short's house, which he purchased in 1984, was among those destroyed. The drive to safety, which typically took minutes, stretched over an hour due to gridlock and widespread panic.
“I will definitely stay in my home,” – Martin Short
The fires have not spared other prominent figures either. Anthony Hopkins, Mel Gibson, Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, and Eugene Levy are among the celebrities whose homes succumbed to the blaze. The Palisades and Eaton fires that erupted on January 7 highlighted the vulnerability of even the most fortified neighborhoods.
Abe Streep's article emphasizes the resilience and determination displayed by his aunt and many Los Angeles residents during this crisis. Meryl Streep's resourcefulness serves as a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity.