The Only Way Is Essex star Liam 'Gatsby' Blackwell has revealed he has been told to evacuate twice while trying to escape wildfires in Los Angeles.
The 36-year-old reality star moved to California in May 2023 in pursuit of a new life - but is now running from danger as destructive fires threaten to consume Los Angeles. Since Tuesday, the world has watched on in horror as wildfires have levelled areas of the city with one of the worst natural disasters to strike the State in the history of the United States.
Confirmed as one of the biggest disasters to hit the film industry focused city, over 180,000 people have been evacuated over the past four days - and over 13,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged by the flames. While firefighters continue to battle the infernos, high winds have made controlling the blazes incredibly difficult - and airborne sparks have caused the fires to spread around the city.
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Instagram/ @gatsby_liam)Image:
Instagram/ @gatsby_liam)Gatsby has been updating fans on social media, revealing he has been trapped amid the chaos. Taking to Instagram over the weekend, he shared footage of families hastily packing up their cars in a affluent neighbourhood. Documenting the chaos, he revealed that he was being forced to seek shelter somewhere safe for a second time.
He told followers: "So yesterday I left my house in West Hollywood and I came to my family home in West Hills. And now there’s a new fire that’s just started over there. I think they’re saying I’m going to have to evacuate. Everyone’s starting to pack. It’s crazy."
And in an accompanying message, he shared his concern about the origins of the fires. He typed: "This is outta control!! This has to be a planned attack or some of these fires have to be arson—doesn’t make sense how they can keep starting in random areas! Just got a text to evacuate!! Please God, make the house and everyone else stay safe... Big up all the Firefighters!!"
While a cause of the fires is yet to be officially determined by officials, at least one man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after fires spread around LA after a third day. On Saturday, reports confirmed that police had released a man that had been arrested after being connected to the Kenneth fire that broke out in Los Angeles on Thursday night.
Authorities revealed they did not have enough evidence to charge him with arson by the end of Friday. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail has reported that two other men have allegedly been caught on camera seemingly starting a fire on purpose.
The outlet reports that the individuals were caught: "dumping gasoline and setting it alight immediately before the devastating Palisades fire broke out." The footage was reportedly handed to a senior firefighter - but the publication states that a fire fighter told them: "By then we were too busy. We told him to take the video to the police."
Shocking footage from Los Angeles has shown the devastating impact the fires have had - with entire neighbourhoods burned to the ground and infamous beachfront residences destroyed. Damage costs of the fires is reported to be in the billions of dollars already - with further high wind weather forecasts predicted to see a continued rise of fire spreading.
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