Cape Town - The homes of celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Dr Dre, Rupert Murdoch and Gwyneth Paltrow are at risk of being torched as the Skirball fire ravages parts of Los Angeles.
According to the Mercury News, the blaze started in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning affecting neighbourhoods, including Mandeville Canyon and Bel Air, that are home to the stars.
Mandeville Canyon is home to Paltrow, who purchased a $10.4 million (R145.6 million) home in 2012 with ex-husband Chris Martin according to the Hollywood Reporter, while celebs including Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Aniston are residents of Bel Air, purchasing homes worth $28 million (R392 million) and $20 million (R280 million ) respectively.
Fortune.com reports that many residents living along Mulholland Drive, where the blazed named after the Skirball Cultural Centre in the area started, have already evacuated their homes, among those TV personality and comedian Chelsea Handler, who tweeted about it.
The blaze has destroyed some 60 hectares and torched at least four properties.
It forced the temporary closure of the 405 Freeway and also led to the University of California, Los Angeles cancelling classes for the day.
According to the LA Times, authorities have warned of potentially catastrophic winds continuing throughout today, hampering firefighting efforts.
The Hollywood Reporter said the Los Angeles fire department has deployed more than 400 firefighters to the area.
Sources:Hollywood Reporter, LA Times, Mercury News, Fortune.