Dick Van Dyke, 99, sparks concern as he speaks out after refusing to evacuate Malibu home: ‘Health is more important than cost!’
Dick Van Dyke, 99, and his wife Arlene Silver, 53, have provided a safety update from their Malibu home as the LA fires continue to rip through Southern California.
The fires have claimed 25 lives and displaced thousands of residents with many told to evacuate as homes across the city have been burnt to ashes.
Several famous faces are among those impacted by the fires with many forced to leave their treasured belongings and abodes behind – but one person who’s stayed put is Mary Poppins star Van Dyke.
Earlier this week, his wife Silver took to Instagram to explain why they’d stayed put in their Malibu home despite being in close proximity to the infernos.
She explained that the guest house on their Malibu property did catch fire but only sustained minimal damage and that keeping Van Dyke comfortable was top of her priorities.
“Keeping Dick warm and entertained has been the two things that have been my top priority, so, you know, we don’t have power… or regular electricity, so we don’t have Wi-Fi,” Silver said over the weekend.
Power to the house has been cut off as authorities still battle the blaze, meaning homes are without heating and electricity.
In a new update on Tuesday evening, Van Dyke appeared alongside Silver in an Instagram post where the pair continued to keep fans updated while they refuse to evacuate.
In typical Van Dyke fashion, the 99-year-old tried to stay upbeat as he told followers: “Listen, we got no heat, we got no light, our neighbourhood is a terrible site. We’re staying as warm as we possibly can, sitting around waiting for the propane man. How’s that?”
Silver laughed at her husband’s limerick before explaining that the duo and their neighbours have been relying on propane tanks to keep their homes heated.
Speaking to her Instagram followers, Silver also explained: “Dick hasn’t been out, hasn’t seen the damage to our house, he doesn’t wanna see it. He doesn’t fully understand…”
“I don’t think anybody fully understands the extent and how long it’s gonna take,” Van Dyke interjected before he and his wife branded the fires a “disaster”.
Upon hearing the difficulties in keeping their home heated combined with the challenging conditions the pair were living in, concerned fans quickly rushed to the comments of the Instagram update to urge Van Dyke and Silver to leave.
Several implored the pair to find a hotel or somewhere with power in order to keep Van Dyke comfortable and in heated accommodation.
One concerned fan led the calls as they typed: “I’m so glad you’re safe. I know you said Dick wants to stay at the house, I understand but he is our gifted treasure. Please try to convince him to go to a hotel until power is restored. I’ll mind my own business now, just had to say it. Stay safe!”
A second similarly suggested: “You are brave. I marvel at how strong you all are. Maybe a night in a hotel if you can get one?”
Elsewhere, a third was less calm than their fellow fans as they urged: “Go to a hotel or Airbnb please!! His health is more important than cost. Please??!!”
“She should try to convince him to go to hotel,” a fourth echoed. “He should not have to be living like that … and being cold when he sleeps … 100 yrs old !!!! Ugh it’s not right … he deserves better … so sad.”
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A fifth concurred: “You’re in our prayers! Understand trying to get him to go to a hotel!
“My dad is the same way even though he’s a couple years younger… Hang in there. Extra prayers for the beautiful and amazing Arlene.”
However, some understood the decision, as one fan replied: “I’m so sorry your going through this, at Dick’s age it must be so hard, but I do understand why you find comfort at home.
“I can’t imagine the stress and upheaval you and so many others are experiencing and the fact Dick is still smiling and joking is admirable. Stay strong guys, thinking of you and all those affected.” (sic)