LA cops rush to ‘burglary’ at Kamala Harris’ Brentwood home as fires spark looting chaos: Live updates
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Cops rushed to Kamala Harris’ evacuated Brentwood home on Saturday to reports of a potential burglary – as Los Angeles’ lawlessness spiraled amid the city’s worst fires in history.
Two people were ultimately arrested for breaching curfew after cops found no evidence they were outside the vice president’s home to commit robbery.
However, the incident speaks to the fear that is gripping neighborhoods that have been ravaged by the monstrous fires. Looting is now running rampant as the flames continue to destroy homes across the City of Angels. At least 20 people have been arrested for looting in evacuation zones around the Los Angeles area.
This comes after at least two people were charged with arson and arrested on suspicion of trying to start other infernos in recent days.
Firefighters have been working tirelessly since Tuesday to tame the infernos – before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames toward some of the city’s most famous landmarks. The Santa Ana winds that have fueled the fires are forecast to strengthen on Sunday and continue into next week, sparking fears of further devastation.
So far, the California fires have killed at least 16 people, and wiped out an estimated 29,000 acres of land, 10,000 homes and other structures. They have also caused around $57 billion in economic damage and forced 180,000 people to evacuate.
The Palisades Fire is the largest of the Los Angeles wildfires, burning through 23,707 acres of the Pacific enclave and is only 11 percent contained, according to CalFire. The Eaton Fire in Pasadena is the deadliest blaze, accounting for 11 deaths, scorched 14,117 acres and is 15 percent contained.
The Kenneth Fire in Los Angeles and Ventura County is 90 percent contained, and the Hurst Fire in the City of Los Angeles is 76 percent contained.
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Two arrested at Kamala Harris’ LA home after cops were called to possible burglary amid wildfire chaos
Two men were arrested near Vice President Kamala Harris’ Brentwood home on Saturday.
LAPD was called to the scene around 4:30 a.m. but were not on the property when they were detained.
Law enforcement sources told NBC Los Angeles, ‘they likely had no idea where they were.’
The two men were detained for breaking curfew, but released after police found no evidence they were committing a crime, reported KTLA.
Selling Sunset star Jason Oppenheim accuses LA landlords of ‘illegally’ raising rental prices
Celebrity realtor Oppenheim, 47, best known for his regular appearances on Netflix reality show Selling Sunset, has lashed out at local landlords for overlooking state laws that prohibit people taking advantage of a natural disaster.
Appearing remotely on BBC politics show Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, a visibly emotional Oppenheim said: ‘I think it should be exposed, but we’re having landlords taking advantage of the situation.
‘I had a client. We sent him to a house that was asking $13,000 a month. He offered $20,000 a month, and he offered to pay six months up front. And the landlord said: “No, I want $23,000 a month.”‘
He added: ‘There are price gouging laws in California. They’re just being ignored right now, and this isn’t the time to be taking advantage of situations, and it’s also illegal to take advantage of a natural disaster.
‘I researched the law last night. You cannot charge more than 10% pre-disaster market rates.’
LA mountain lions and goats flee to safety from blistering California fires
Mountain lions, goats and donkeys in LA have been seen fleeing to safety from the blistering infernos as the city’s shelters fill up with lost pets.
Videos show wild animals running for their lives from the wildfires which have already claimed the lives of around 16 people while burning over 37,000 acres of land and destroying 12,000 structures in its wake.
In one clip take in the night, a mountain lion and two small cubs are seen running down Topanga Canyon Boulevard, California, away from the Palisades fire.
LA elite hire $2,000-an-hour private firefighters
Californians are up in arms after it was revealed LA’s elite are hiring private firefighters for as much as $2,000 an hour to save their multi-million dollar homes.
In an effort to protect their investments the ultra-rich of Tinsel Town are hiring expensive private firefighters to save their homes using a bright pink flame retardant, a move that is infuriating many.
Fury as California Governor Newsom claims ‘he doesn’t know how LA wildfires happened’
Governor Gavin Newsom is facing fresh fury after claiming he does not know how the Los Angeles wildfires happened – while appearing to cast blame on other officials, including beleaguered LA mayor Karen Bass.
Newsom has been accused of ‘passing the buck’ in his latest attempts to defend his response to the devastating ‘Palisade Fire’ inferno across the state.
The man previously touted as a potential Democrat presidential candidate has also been criticised over $100million cuts to funding earmarked for tackling wildfires.
Satellite image reveals sheer size of apocalyptic inferno
The enormous image, captured by the Pléiades Neo satellite on January 9, shows Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades, as well as the Summit and North of Montana neighbourhoods, engulfed in the smoke.
Will Netflix pull Meghan’s new California lifestyle show?
PR experts have questioned the timing of the release of Meghan Markle’s Netflix cookery show and say it should be postponed amid the wildfires in Los Angeles.
The Duchess of Sussex’s long-awaited lifestyle series With Love, Meghan is scheduled to premiere on Wednesday, January 15.
Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, were seen in the city helping hand out food parcels to survivors after making the 90 mile journey from their $29million Montecito mansion.
But despite their laudable efforts, making donations to the cause from their Archewell Foundation, and opening up their luxury home to their displaced friends and loved ones, scores of experts say Netflix should push back the release date of Meghan’s show.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stood next to the wife of the Democrat California Governor Gavin Newsom who has come under increasing pressure from the likes of President-elect Donald Trump for his response to the raging wildfires.
The royal couple, who live near Santa Barbara, around 90 miles away from LA, were seen comforting victims as they handed out food parcels with Jennifer Newsom at the Pasadena Convention Centre, which is being used as an evacuation centre, on Friday.
California governor and LA mayor face growing backlash – as well as ‘hair gel’ taunt
California’s beleaguered governor Gavin Newsom has been accused of ‘passing the buck’ by saying in a new podcast interview he was struggling to get ‘straight answers’ from other local leaders and officials.
The Democrat state chief told Pod Save America and its host Jon Favreau: ‘So, I’m the governor of California and want know the answer – I’ve got that question, I can’t tell you, by how many people, “What happened” – on my own team, “What happened?”. I’ll be candid with you, I wasn’t getting straight answers.’
But there has been a backlash in response, with one X user posting: ‘If he doesn’t know what happened, when he’s the first who should know, then he isn’t fit for purpose and needs to resign.’
Meanwhile, LA mayor Karen Buss has faced new criticism after visiting a local fire HQ then posting a video message in which she was seen smiling.
Hollywood actor Mel Gibson, who says he has lost his home in the inferno, has now been asked by Fox News what advice he would give the pair – and said: ‘Spend less on hair gel.’
Five major fires continue to burn in LA: Updates
As the California wildfire crisis enters its fifth day, here is a rundown of the status of the biggest blazes as of Sunday morning:
The largest of the Los Angeles wildfires has scorched through 23,654 acres and leveled homes, businesses and structures in the Pacific Palisades right across to the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu.
So far, the fire is thought to have claimed the lives of at least five people and is just 11% contained.
The most recent development has seen the blaze explode into the Mandeville Canyon area, after the blaze spread towards it and the Brentwood neighborhood, partially closing the 405 freeway.
The Eaton Fire broke out on Tuesday and has since torn through 14,005 acres of land.
The blaze resulted in evacuation orders for those in Altadena and Pasadena, with more people ordered to flee on Thursday as the flames becan to encroach on Mount Wilson.
Glenoaks Canyon and Chevy Chase Canyon residents have since been allowed back home, with the fire 15% contained.
It has been estimated that the Eaton Fire has destroyed 7,000 structures and is responsible for the deaths of 8 people.
The Kenneth Fire spans across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and has so far burned 1,052 acres of land.
The blaze has been 90% contained since it broke out on Thursday and prior evacuation orders have since been lifted.
The smallest of the fires, the blaze is currently 76% contained and has affected 799 acres.
Evacuation orders were given to the areas around Sylmar, but these have since been lifted.
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