Mel Gibson says his house burned down in the LA fires

Mel Gibson has revealed that his home was destroyed in the Los Angeles fires while he was away recording Joe Rogan’s podcast.

The Oscar-winning movie star said the Malibu property was “absolutely fine” and criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom over the crisis.

At least 10 people have died in the fires, which have burned thousands of buildings and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.

Many celebrities have reported losing their properties, and officials have warned that stronger winds could fan the flames further.

Gibson said he felt “excited” about his visit to Austin, Texas, to appear as a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience because he knew his neighborhood was “on fire.”

“It’s devastating, it’s emotional,” Gibson told NewsNation Elizabeth Vargas reports.

“I am freed from the burden of my things, because everything is in ashes.”

The Braveheart star said he had lived on his property for around 15 years and that some of his neighbors’ houses were also “gone”, including actor Ed Harris’s.

Gibson said his family followed the evacuation order and were safe.

in the year Podcast with RoganGibson criticized the California governor, who Newsom said would “take care of the forests” but “did nothing.”

“I think all of our tax dollars probably went to Gavin’s hair salon,” the actor said.

Los Angeles is dealing with the worst fires in its history, which have consumed 31,000 acres (12,500 hectares) of land and prompted the evacuation of 180,000 people.

Five fires are still burning through the LA Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, Hurst and Lidia areas.

California fire chief David Acuna told Radio 4’s Today program that 10,000 structures are likely to be destroyed. He also warned that the wind could destroy even more in the coming days.

Republican President-elect Donald Trump has called on Newsom, a Democrat, to resign over his handling of the crisis, saying one of the “best and most beautiful” parts of the US is “burning to the ground.”

Newsom has defended the response and said state officials were “throwing everything in our power” to protect communities.

The governor’s spokeswoman accused Trump of politicizing the disaster and said Newsom was focused on protecting people and making sure firefighters had the resources they needed.

US President Joe Biden said he had committed additional federal resources to help California after the “most devastating and widespread wildfire” in the state’s history.

Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal are among the celebrities whose homes have been destroyed by the fires.

Hilton, a hotel heiress and reality TV star, shared a video of the remains of her property on social media and said it was “truly heartbreaking”.

Actor Crystal said in a statement that he and his wife Janice were “heartbroken” to lose their Pacific Palisades home, where they had lived since 1979.

TV presenter Ricki Lake said she had lost her “dream home”, adding: “My heart goes out to everyone who is suffering in this apocalyptic event.”

US The Office star Rainn Wilson shared a video of the burning house and said there were “valuable lessons” to be learned from the fires.

Actors Sir Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, Anna Faris and Cary Elwes also reportedly lost their homes.

Meanwhile, Pacific Palisades resident actor Steve Guttenberg helped move parked cars to make room for firefighters.

“This is not a parking lot,” he told KTLA. “I have friends up there and they can’t be evacuated.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who live in California, are understood to have invited their housemates and loved ones who were forced to evacuate.

In a statement on their website, Harry and Meghan said: “If a friend, loved one or pet needs to evacuate and you are able to provide a safe haven in your home, please do so.”