Cops rushed to Kamala’s Harris’s evacuated Brentwood home Saturday after burglars were reported as Los Angeles’ lawlessness spiraled amid the worst fires in history.
Two people were ultimately arrested for breaching curfew with cops finding no evidence they were outside the vice president’s home to commit robbery.
However, the incident speaks to the fear that is gripping neighborhoods that have been ravaged by fire. Looting is now running rampant as the flames continue to destroy homes. At least 20 people have been arrested for looting in evacuation zones around the Los Angeles area.
The fires ravaging California have killed at least 16 people and destroyed over 10,000 structures as firefighters return to their sixth day of battling the blazes.
Strong winds that fueled the deadly wildfires are forecast to continue into next week, sparking fears of further devastation.
The Palisades Fire is the largest of the Los Angeles wildfires, burning through 23,707 acres of the Pacific enclave and is only 11 percent contained, according to CalFire.
The Eaton Fire in Pasadena is the deadliest blaze, accounting for 11 deaths, scorched 14,117 acres and is 15 percent contained.
The Kenneth Fire in Los Angeles and Ventura County is 90 percent contained, and the Hurst Fire in the City of Los Angeles is 76 percent contained.
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Two arrested at Kamala Harris’ LA home after cops were called to possible burglary amid wildfire chaos
Two men were arrested near Vice President Kamala Harris’ Brentwood home on Saturday.
LAPD was called to the scene around 4:30 a.m. but were not on the property when they were detained.
Law enforcement sources told NBC Los Angeles, ‘they likely had no idea where they were.’
The two men were detained for breaking curfew, but released after police found no evidence they were committing a crime, reported KTLA.
Satellite image reveals sheer size of apocalyptic inferno
The enormous image, captured by the Pléiades Neo satellite on January 9, shows Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades, as well as the Summit and North of Montana neighbourhoods, engulfed in the smoke.
Will Netflix pull Meghan’s new California lifestyle show?
PR experts have questioned the timing of the release of Meghan Markle’s Netflix cookery show and say it should be postponed amid the wildfires in Los Angeles.
The Duchess of Sussex’s long-awaited lifestyle series With Love, Meghan is scheduled to premiere on Wednesday, January 15.
Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, were seen in the city helping hand out food parcels to survivors after making the 90 mile journey from their $29million Montecito mansion.
But despite their laudable efforts, making donations to the cause from their Archewell Foundation, and opening up their luxury home to their displaced friends and loved ones, scores of experts say Netflix should push back the release date of Meghan’s show.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stood next to the wife of the Democrat California Governor Gavin Newsom who has come under increasing pressure from the likes of President-elect Donald Trump for his response to the raging wildfires.
The royal couple, who live near Santa Barbara, around 90 miles away from LA, were seen comforting victims as they handed out food parcels with Jennifer Newsom at the Pasadena Convention Centre, which is being used as an evacuation centre, on Friday.
California governor and LA mayor face growing backlash – as well as ‘hair gel’ taunt
California’s beleaguered governor Gavin Newsom has been accused of ‘passing the buck’ by saying in a new podcast interview he was struggling to get ‘straight answers’ from other local leaders and officials.
The Democrat state chief told Pod Save America and its host Jon Favreau: ‘So, I’m the governor of California and want know the answer – I’ve got that question, I can’t tell you, by how many people, “What happened” – on my own team, “What happened?”. I’ll be candid with you, I wasn’t getting straight answers.’
But there has been a backlash in response, with one X user posting: ‘If he doesn’t know what happened, when he’s the first who should know, then he isn’t fit for purpose and needs to resign.’
Meanwhile, LA mayor Karen Buss has faced new criticism after visiting a local fire HQ then posting a video message in which she was seen smiling.
Hollywood actor Mel Gibson, who says he has lost his home in the inferno, has now been asked by Fox News what advice he would give the pair – and said: ‘Spend less on hair gel.’
Five major fires continue to burn in LA: Updates
As the California wildfire crisis enters its fifth day, here is a rundown of the status of the biggest blazes as of Sunday morning:
The largest of the Los Angeles wildfires has scorched through 23,654 acres and leveled homes, businesses and structures in the Pacific Palisades right across to the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu.
So far, the fire is thought to have claimed the lives of at least five people and is just 11% contained.
The most recent development has seen the blaze explode into the Mandeville Canyon area, after the blaze spread towards it and the Brentwood neighborhood, partially closing the 405 freeway.
The Eaton Fire broke out on Tuesday and has since torn through 14,005 acres of land.
The blaze resulted in evacuation orders for those in Altadena and Pasadena, with more people ordered to flee on Thursday as the flames becan to encroach on Mount Wilson.
Glenoaks Canyon and Chevy Chase Canyon residents have since been allowed back home, with the fire 15% contained.
It has been estimated that the Eaton Fire has destroyed 7,000 structures and is responsible for the deaths of 8 people.
The Kenneth Fire spans across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and has so far burned 1,052 acres of land.
The blaze has been 90% contained since it broke out on Thursday and prior evacuation orders have since been lifted.
The smallest of the fires, the blaze is currently 76% contained and has affected 799 acres.
Evacuation orders were given to the areas around Sylmar, but these have since been lifted.