Mel Gibson says ‘it’s devastating’ as he surveys ruins of his $14.5M Malibu mansion ravaged by LA fires
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Mel Gibson made an emotional return to the site of his $14.5 million Malibu mansion, which was reduced to ashes by the devastating wildfires sweeping Los Angeles.
Touring the ruins on Wednesday, January 15, Gibson described the heartbreaking scene, saying, “You could put it in an urn.”
Mel Gibson says it's 'devastating' to see his home destroyed
Mel Gibson, who had lived in the house for 15 years, recounted the shock of seeing his once-pristine property turn to rubble.
“It’s obviously kind of devastating. It’s emotional,” Gibson told NewsNation.
“I had a lot of personal things there that I can’t get back,” he added.
During his tour, Gibson was accompanied by firefighters who revealed a troubling obstacle they faced while battling the inferno, an early depletion of water in local reservoirs.
“A firefighter told me that they ran out of water fairly quickly,” Gibson said, shocked by the revelation.
“None of us were aware of the water issues with the reservoirs,” the firefighter shared.
Gibson expressed gratitude to the first responders, shaking hands with them and thanking them for their tireless efforts despite all the challenges.
Last week, the actor, during an interview with Fox News, questioned whether the fires had been "commissioned".
“It just seemed a little convenient that there was no water,” the 'Braveheart' actor remarked, comparing the circumstances to historical instances of land disputes and people being forced to move out of valuable property.
Mel Gibson feels grateful his family is safe
Before the fire consumed his home, Mel Gibson rushed back with his son to retrieve whatever they could.
The pair escaped with only their passports and a few essential documents, leaving behind priceless possessions, including artworks and rare 16th-century books.
“I lost a lot of cool stuff,” Gibson said, adding that while the loss is significant, he is grateful that his family is safe.
Gibson’s devastation was compounded by his experience while recording a podcast with Joe Rogan in Texas.
During the taping, he was uneasy, knowing wildfires were nearing his neighborhood.
“I was doing the Rogan podcast. I thought, I wonder if my place is still there,” he recalled. “When I got back, sure enough, it wasn’t there,” he shared.
Still, the actor maintained a sense of humor, joking, “At least I haven’t got any of those pesky plumbing problems anymore.”
Mel Gibson on rebuilding and resilience
Despite the devastation, Mel Gibson remains optimistic about the future.
He plans to clean up the lot and rebuild the site, determined to restore what has been lost.
During the walkthrough of his property, he managed to salvage a single end table from the rubble.
“This is a reminder of how vulnerable we are, but also how much strength we have to move forward," he said, according to Daily Mail.
Gibson is among the many Malibu residents who lost their homes in the apocalyptic fires, including celebrities like Paris Hilton, Eugene Levy, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag.
More than 40,000 acres were scorched by the fires, destroying thousands of homes and businesses and killing at least 25 people.
