EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer has said she is “really sad” that her children’s community in Malibu has been destroyed by the raging wildfires in Los Angeles.
The soap star, who is currently filming in the UK, revealed her home had survived the fires but those surrounding it have been burnt out.
Officials have warned winds scattering ash could threaten the progress made so far on the infernos that have sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their properties and destroyed many properties.
“You think: ‘Oh, it’s only stuff’, but knowing that it was saved and then seeing it all and I’m like: ‘I actually really love all my bits and pieces’.
“And I know it’s nothing compared to human life… For the kids, it’s their whole world.”
She said she was “really sad” for her youngest son Bertie, 14, who had begun hanging out with his friends outside later at night in their “magical” community, but it had now all been taken away from them.
“And I think they’ve had that happen a lot in the past few years. So for the kids, it’s very traumatising,” she added.
Her son Fenton, who graduated from the University of California last year, has joined her in the UK but her husband Richard Merkell and daughter Emilia and son Bertie are still in Los Angeles.
Appearing alongside his mother on the talk show, Fenton said: “All of my best friends have lost their homes. It’s really quite crazy. I’ve never lived through anything like this, ever.”
He explained that his mother had been keeping them informed on what was happening as their community was without electricity, forcing them to flock to a grocery store in north Malibu which had a generator to gain information.
Palmer, who moved to Los Angeles more than a decade ago, confirmed her family plans to return to the city when they can, but that she is just “happy to wake up in the morning and be alive”.
In an Instagram Story post on Monday, the actress said her home surviving was a “huge blessing” but that they felt “such a sadness” for their friends and neighbours who had lost everything.
The wildfire destruction has halted many events, with Beyonce postponing an announcement which she previously said she would make on Tuesday – with fans speculating that this meant a tour or album.
The US singer’s BeyGood foundation has donated 2.5 million US dollars (£2.05 million) to Los Angeles relief efforts so far.
Other celebrities who have donated funds include Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria and her foundation, the Screen Actors Guild, the Recording Academy and MusiCares, and Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her family – who have all pledged one million dollars (£819,000) each to those affected by the wildfires.
US reality star Paris Hilton launched an emergency fund to support families who have been displaced, kickstarting it with a personal donation of 100,000 dollars (£82,000) after she watched her Malibu home “burn to the ground on live TV”.
Mel Gibson, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Billy Crystal, Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg are also among the Hollywood stars who have lost their homes.
The fires have thrown Hollywood’s awards season into disarray, with the Critics Choice Awards and Producers Guild Awards nominations among the events postponed.
The Oscars nominations have also been delayed for a second time, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Chief executive Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang confirmed nominations for the 97th Oscars will be rescheduled until January 23 in a virtual event “without in-person media coverage”.
The Oscars ceremony remains scheduled for Sunday March 2 at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, with the Grammys also on target for February 2.
On Friday, the duchess and her husband, the Duke of Sussex, hugged residents and spoke to emergency crews at a meal distribution site for people affected by the fires.
It is believed the couple have donated clothing, children’s items and other essential supplies for people affected by the fires.
The blazes have killed at least 24 people, including British-born former child star Rory Sykes, who was blind and had cerebral palsy.
His mother, Shelley Sykes, told Australian TV channel Network 10 he “died needlessly” of carbon monoxide poisoning.
