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Simon Cowell has posted an emotional video about the LA wildfires as they continue to ravage the area.
The fires, which have been burning since January 7, have destroyed an estimated 10,000 buildings including affluent suburbs, churches, Hollywood film locations and various other buildings. They’ve killed at least 16 people.
Officials previously said 11 people had died, but that the number rose as cadaver dogs searched through decimated areas that were previously unsearchable this weekend.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office gave the new figure yesterday evening, saying that five of the deaths were from the Palisades Fire, and 11 resulted from the Eaton Fire.
More people remain missing, and authorities have established a centre where people can report their loved ones to seek updates.
In Cowell’s video, posted to Instagram, he said: ‘Los Angeles has been my second home for the past twenty five years. I am devastated by what I’ve seen and read. What is happening right now is horrific.
‘Like many other people I want to do something to help. I have done some research and I will be donating to @redcrossla. I have added their link in my bio for further information on ways to support.
‘I am sending my thoughts, love and prayers to everyone affected. Love, Simon x.’
Cowell joins Charli XCX and other celebrities in calling for fans to give aid to the devastated Los Angeles area.
Charli, who topped the charts this summer with her hit album Brat, put a call out on social media for brands who often send her free clothes to send clothes to victims of the fires.
She wrote: ‘As a person in the public eye I am often being sent clothes and other things by brands wanting to gift me something.
‘This is very kind and sweet but I want to encourage brands to give to people who really truly need it. If any brands are reading this, please donate to those who have been tragically affected by these horrific LA fires.’
Many other celebrities have been spotted helping with relief efforts, including Jennifer Garner who recently emotionally revealed to MSNBC that her friend ‘did not get out in time’ during the fires.
The Daredevil actress, 52, was lending support to World Central Kitchen (WCK) a not-for-profit organisation that provides food relief, when she was caught by MSNBC for a quick interview with Katy Tur.
Celebrities including Paris Hilton, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Adam Brody and Leighton Meester have all had their homes destroyed in what has been called the most destructive fire in the city’s history.
Meanwhile, Mel Gibson shared a completely unfounded conspiracy theory that people were ‘commissioned’ to start the devastating wildfires.
Gibson, 69, whose $11,500,000 (£9.4m) Malibu home was also burned to the ground in the ‘apocalyptic’ fires, appeared on Fox News show The Ingraham Angle.
He told host Laura Ingraham: ‘I know they were messing with the water, letting reserves go for one reason or another. They’ve been doing that a while. California has a lot of problems that sort of baffle the mind as far as why they do things.’
‘And then in events like this, you sort of look, well, it is on purpose? Which, it’s an insane thing to think. But one begins to ponder whether or not there is a purpose in mind. What could it be? You know, what do they want? The state empty? I don’t know.’
Gibson admitted he was concocting ‘horrible theories’ about the fires.
He continued: ‘I can make all kinds of horrible theories up in my head, conspiracy theories and everything else, but it just seemed a little convenient that there was no water.’
As wildfires still ravage Los Angeles with more strong winds feared tomorrow, some are seizing the chaos to loot abandoned homes.
An overnight curfew has been imposed in fire areas to deter theft from homes either burned or evacuated, with two looters even ‘posing as firefighters coming in and out of houses’, according to police.
Firefighters said that over 100 square miles of homes and vegetation had been consumed in the flames, which have burned down more than 12,000 buildings.
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