Kate Beckinsale “so grateful” as neighbours help her flee California wildfires
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- Anna Brech
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Kate Beckinsale is one of thousands of people who’ve had to flee their homes in Los Angeles, as authorities struggle to contain wildfires in a state-wide emergency.
Kate Beckinsale has spoken of her relief and gratitude after neighbours helped her to escape her Los Angeles home in the early hours of yesterday morning, as wildfires swept the area.
The Underworld star posted on Instagram to thank “David and Dorothy”, who came to her aid at 3am with the offer of a lift – because the actor cannot drive.
Beckinsale was accompanied by her family of four animals, including an epileptic cat, in making the escape.
Sharing a photo of wildfires raging on the horizon, the actor said “angel” friends had offered to take her and her menagerie in:
A series of wildfires erupted across the state of California last Wednesday, and have been gaining pace ever since.
Dry ground combined with powerful winds have created “potentially historic fire weather conditions,” according to The National Weather Service.
In Sonoma Country, where the fires started, around 180,000 people have been forced to flee their homes. A further 1.5 million people across the state are set to lose power in their homes today, in an attempt to stop damaged cables making the situation worse.
The blaze that forced Beckinsale out of her home began earlier this week near LA’s Getty Center arts complex.
Wildfires are affecting properties in the wealthy neighbourhoods of Brentwood and Pacific Palisades; a long-time stomping ground for Hollywood stars and the super-rich.
Kate Hudson, Arnold Schwarzenegger and basketball star LeBron James are some of those who have been forced to evacuate the area.
Comedian Kathy Griffin tweeted a video of the fires taken from her doorstep, and joined Beckinsale in expressing gratitude to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
LA fire chief Ralph Terrazas told reporters that firefighters had been “literally overwhelmed” by the scale of the outbreak.
“They had to make some tough decisions on which houses they were able to protect,” he said.
Images: Getty