Dick van Dyke, 98, forced to flee California home days before 99th birthday as Malibu wildfires ravage neighbourhood
Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke, 98, and singer Cher are among thousands forced to flee their Malibu homes as a devastating wildfire continues to rage through the affluent California neighbourhood.
The Franklin Fire, which ignited on Monday evening near Pepperdine University, has prompted widespread evacuations across the coastal community.
Van Dyke, who turns 99 on Friday, confirmed he and his wife Arlene Silver had “safely evacuated” their £8 million hillside home, though they were forced to leave behind their beloved cat Bobo in the mayhem.
The veteran entertainer, known for his roles in Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, shared his concerns on Facebook as the blaze threatened the Serra Retreat area.
“Arlene and I have safely evacuated with our animals except for Bobo escaped as we were leaving,” Van Dyke wrote on Facebook. “We’re praying he’ll be ok and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires.”
The actor later shared a 39-second video of his ginger cat playing in a garden, expressing hope for Bobo’s safety.
The house across the street from Van Dyke’s residence reportedly burned down, though ABC News reported the actor’s home was spared from the flames.
The evacuation comes just days after Van Dyke’s home was featured in a music video for Coldplay’s new song All My Love, celebrating his decades-long career in Hollywood.
The Franklin Fire has now spread to more than 2,800 acres and remains almost completely uncontained, according to officials.
The blaze has prompted mandatory evacuation orders affecting approximately 18,000 people and 8,100 buildings in the area.
Around 2,000 structures are under direct evacuation orders in the region, which is dotted with luxury mansions.
The flames have been intensified by volatile Santa Ana winds, which can reach speeds of up to 40mph with little warning.
The National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office has issued a rare red flag weather warning, indicating a “particularly dangerous situation” and “very extreme fire danger” until Wednesday morning.
The cause of the wildfire remains under investigation by LA County Fire and Sheriff’s arson teams.
Among other celebrities affected, Cher and her pets have taken refuge in a hotel, according to her publicist.
Actress Mira Sorvino shared her experience on X, formerly Twitter: “All my Malibu friends and neighbours I pray that you are safe. We evacuated in the middle of the night, kids and pets all accounted for! Scary times!!”
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Power has been cut to much of Malibu to mitigate wildfire risks, whilst all local schools have been closed “until further notice”.
California Governor Gavin Newsom stated: “Fire officials and first responders are working relentlessly to protect lives and property from the Franklin Fire. California is grateful for this federal support, which bolsters these efforts.”
The strongest Santa Ana winds have now passed, though gusty conditions are expected to persist through Wednesday morning.