Dick Van Dyke, the cherished actor renowned for his iconic role in Mary Poppins, was compelled to evacuate his Malibu residence when severe wildfires encroached upon the area.
At the impressive age of 99, Van Dyke found himself in a dire situation as the flames rapidly approached his home in California’s Serra Retreat.
During an interview with Today, Van Dyke recounted the terrifying experience of trying to escape as the wildfire closed in. “It was coming over the hill. You [could] see it,” he described, vividly recalling the fire’s menacing advance toward his home.
Resolutely aiming to get to safety, Van Dyke attempted to crawl to his car, but found himself quickly running out of energy. “I had exhausted myself. I couldn’t get up.
And three neighbors came and carried me out,” he expressed, clearly appreciative of their prompt assistance. Not only did these neighbors help Van Dyke reach safety, but they also bravely fought the fire and managed to save his guest house from destruction.
A video taken during the evacuation captures Van Dyke stating he was “soaking wet” in his attempt to flee. Security cameras at his home captured these critical moments as Van Dyke, along with his wife Arlene and their pets, departed.
Amidst the chaos, Van Dyke made certain his friends and admirers were informed of his wellbeing through a Facebook post. “Arlene and I have safely evacuated with our animals except for Bobo, who escaped as we were leaving,” he expressed. “We’re praying he’ll be ok and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires.”
The wildfires began late Monday night, as part of the extensive Franklin Fire originating just north of Pepperdine University. By Tuesday, the wildfire had expanded across 2,800 acres, necessitating the evacuation of over 18,000 individuals and putting more than 8,000 structures in jeopardy. Sadly, the fire’s cause remains under investigation by Los Angeles County’s Fire and Sheriff’s arson teams.
Van Dyke’s escape from the fire is especially poignant as his contributions and life have been recently celebrated. His Malibu home was showcased in Coldplay’s music video for “All My Love,” affirming his enduring legacy in the entertainment world. In this reflective piece, Van Dyke shared profound thoughts on mortality, stating, “I’m not afraid of it. I have that feeling, totally against anything intellectual, that I’m going to be all right.”
Other prominent individuals in the area, like actress Mira Sorvino, singers Cher, and Barbra Streisand, also had to evacuate due to the fires threatening the neighborhood.
Messages of love and support flooded social media for Van Dyke, a symbol of resilience and optimism, who continues to uplift audiences with his enduring spirit. Although faced with a dangerous situation, Van Dyke’s priority remains his family, gratitude for assistance from others, and the kindness displayed within his community.
Even as the wildfires persist in threatening the region, Van Dyke’s escape story personifies both personal fortitude and the supportive nature of those around him during such trials.