24 Dead In Los Angeles Blaze, Strong Winds Trigger ‘Fire Tornado’

24 Dead In Los Angeles Blaze, Strong Winds Trigger ‘Fire Tornado’

The number of people confirmed dead in two Los Angeles wildfires – that burned for the sixth straight day on Sunday – rose to 24 over the weekend. Eight of the dead were found in the Palisades Fire zone, and 16 in the Eaton Fire zone.

Former Australian child star Rory Sykes, who appeared in the British TV show “Kiddy Kapers” in the 1990s, was among those killed in the wildfires in the United States’ second-largest city.

While the Palisades Fire, which has grown to 23,600 acres, was 11 per cent contained, the Eaton Fire was at 14,000 acres and 15 per cent contained. A fire tornado was also reportedly spotted as the fire blazed through the San Fernando Valley in California.

More than 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed in the blaze, which has forced over 1 lakh people to evacuate. The damage and economic loss is estimated at $135 billion to $150 billion.

Anthony Hopkins, Paris Hilt on, Mel Gibson and Billy Crystal were among dozens of actors who have also lost their homes to the blazes, that resemble a Hollywood disaster movie.