Chaotic scenes erupted as tens of thousands of individuals evacuated their residences to flee a large wildfire that has spread uncontrollably in and near an affluent neighborhood in Los Angeles since Tuesday. Many houses in the Pacific Palisades region were reduced to ashes by fire in just a few minutes, and hundreds of cars were incinerated. A second fire on Wednesday increased in size, consuming more areas.
Witnesses recounted the disorder, stating “individuals were panicking” as they found themselves powerless against the catastrophe.
A huge traffic congestion hit the region as locals tried to leave in significant numbers, worsening the circumstances. This compelled many to leave their cars on the road and escape on foot, urgently attempting to save themselves as the fire spread swiftly.
Brianna Sacks, a reporter for the Washington Post, who posted images of the wildfire, stated, “I’ve witnessed this repeatedly while covering fires since 2017, yet it always appears apocalyptic and profoundly unsettling.”
The fires were “this close to the vehicles,” a resident showed with her thumb and forefinger while recounting her fortunate escape.
“We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road. People were getting out of the cars with their dogs and babies and bags, they were crying and screaming,” another resident told news agency AP.
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The Pacific Palisades, located between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu, is inhabited by numerous Hollywood celebrities. At least 2,921 acres of the region have been consumed by the blaze.
CBC News Correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti stated while sharing a video, “every house is ablaze.” Rescue teams are not attempting to save them. They are working to extinguish fires before they spread to other areas.
