The fire disaster in the American metropolis of Los Angeles is becoming increasingly dramatic: dead, completely destroyed neighborhoods, apocalyptic air. The ‘Krone’ spoke with the Austrian star director Robert Dornhelm, whose house burned down.
The fires have already claimed ten lives and destroyed more than 10,000 buildings. The Pacific Palisades region, where flames have raged for days, has been particularly hard hit. Satellite images reveal a terrifying picture: where luxury homes once stood, there is now only scorched earth.
One person who lost everything in the aftermath of this inferno is Austrian star director Robert Dornhelm. The filmmaker, who was nominated for an Oscar in 1978, describes in ‘Krone’ the full force and drama with which his house was destroyed by flames. “You have to imagine that scenes like war are taking place here. My house is no longer there, just like half the houses on my street burned down,” said Dornhelm, who is currently staying with friends in nearby Encino.
Billionaires’ houses burned down
Of course, it is not an isolated fate that he suffered. “All the billionaires’ houses on the coast burned down along the Pacific Coast Highway. None of them cost less than $30 million. But it affected all expensive residential areas. “It’s like a war,” says the 77-year-old artist about the drama of the situation in which a number of insurance companies are now going bankrupt and no longer covering the damage.
For Dornhelm, who will soon travel home to Austria, the biggest loss is not just the burned down house: “Yes, it is mainly memories, movie posters and awards that have been irreparably destroyed by the flames.”
“Our dreams went up in flames”
Residents like Dornhelm also complain about poor precautions. The evacuation plans were chaotic and the fire-fighting water reservoirs were empty. Firefighters had to improvise and resort to swimming pools and water tanks.
It’s nothing new for ecologist Chad Hanson. “The fire hydrants are built to protect one or two houses, but not entire neighborhoods,” says the renowned expert from the John Muir Project, an American forest conservation organization. Protective measures such as fire-resistant construction methods and buffer zones between buildings are lacking.
It is therefore not surprising that criticism of politicians who reduce the problem to tree deforestation is becoming increasingly louder. For Hanson, it’s all about long-term planning and keeping people safe – not about headlines. For residents like Dornhelm, who lost their livelihood in the flames, the insights come too late.
Suspected arsonist arrested
In the meantime, the fight against the fires continues. They are fed by strong winds that constantly change direction. They blow embers over areas that have already been extinguished, creating new sources of fire. A suspected arsonist was also arrested. It is believed the homeless man started the Kenneth Fire. A propane gas cylinder was found on him. The investigation has only just begun.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
