Not on the RecordThe business magnate explains how the “miracle” house survived the wildfires in Los Angeles “untouched.”
A US businessman has described why he thinks his property was spared from the flames of the Los Angeles wildfires, despite the fact that his neighbors’ properties were reduced to rubble.
The only remaining structure on David Steiner’s property is his $9 million Malibu mansion, which was burned in the Palisades fire.
The fire, one of eight that were raging across Los Angeles County, has scorched more than 20,000 acres, though three of them have now been extinguished by firefighters.
It has also destroyed around 5,000 homes and businesses, making it the “biggest” to yet, according to Sky News.
Strong winds and a lack of rain are claimed to have exacerbated the Kenneth fire, which is threatening properties near Calabasas and Hidden Hills. Authorities believe the fire was intentionally started. People allegedly held a man until police arrived, and he was later arrested on charges of arson.
Several celebrities, including Paris Hilton, Anna Faris, Eugene Levy, and Billy Crystal, have lost their homes in recent days as the infernos continue to wreak devastation on Los Angeles.
Thus, Steiner was surprised to learn that his land had escaped the area’s engulfing, towering fires.
On Tuesday, January 7, the retired waste-management tycoon thought his three-story house, which was vacant at the time, was doomed when a local contractor texted him a video of smoke and flames tearing through the street.
“[The contractor] told me, ‘It looks like your house is going too,’ when he saw my neighbor’s house collapse while he was watching the news reports,” Steiner told the New York Post.
The New Orleans business magnate then began to get calls informing him that his “house was all over the news,” but not for the reason he had expected.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the mansion was seen standing strong in contrast to its destroyed neighbors.
“I realized we had survived when I started receiving pictures,” Steiner added. “Last house standing” was the message my wife texted me this morning. And that made me grin quite a bit during a difficult moment.
He thinks the four-bedroom, 4,200-square-foot home’s design—which he refers to as “built like a cruise ship”—is what allowed it to survive the devastating fire.
The father of three stated, “It has a ‘ultra-sturdy construction’ and was built to withstand earthquakes.”
“It has a fireproof roof and is made of stone and stucco,” Steiner said, adding that it also has pilings “like 50 feet into the bedrock” that keep it stable when powerful waves slam in.
To tell the truth, Steiner remarked, “I never in a million years imagined that a wildfire would leap to the Pacific Coast Highway and start a fire.” “I reasoned that this would be the last thing to go in the event of an earthquake. To be honest, I never imagined that this would be the final item to go in the event of a fire. And it was.
“I think the architecture is quite good. However, the fireproof roof and stucco are really lovely.
Even though he is thankful that his mansion survived the fire, he is aware that he is currently among the lucky individuals in Los Angeles.
Steiner’s home was not his family’s permanent residence because he purchased the pad after two of his sons had already started attending local schools.
“I was receiving texts from people saying, ‘We’re praying for you,’” he added. It’s awful. “Don’t pray for me,” I answered; “material goods are what I lost.” Others lost their homes, but I lost a property. My family’s memories were not there. My family didn’t live there. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost their homes.
Despite having insurance, the billionaire said it would only “cover 50% for a wildfire” and he believes his estate will have some smoke damage.
