A raging wildfire erupted overnight in the Sepulveda Pass area of Los Angeles, forcing residents in some of the city’s most exclusive neighborhoods to flee.
A witness first notified the California Highway Patrol that flames were burning along the 405 Freeway around 1:32 a.m., the CHP said.
The blaze, dubbed the Getty Fire, quickly exploded and is burning near the Getty Center museum. As of 9 a.m., the fire had consumed more than 500 acres, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman, Captain Erik Scott.
The flames have damaged at least five homes, Scott said during a live interview on KTLA-TV.
At around 2:45 a.m., the fire department sent residents in the area an emergency alert on their cell phones, warning them to prepare to evacuate due to the fire.
Among those affected was Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
“Man these LA aren’t no joke. Had to emergency evacuate my house and I’ve been driving around with my family trying to get rooms. No luck so far!” James tweeted at 3:53 a.m.
Man these LA ? aren’t no joke. Had to emergency evacuate my house and I’ve been driving around with my family trying to get rooms. No luck so far! ?????
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 28, 2019
Jon Passantino, LA Bureau chief for Buzzfeed News, said police were waking people up.
“Police are driving through westside LA neighborhoods waking people up and ordering them out,” Passatino tweeted at 4:55 a.m.
Police are driving through westside LA neighborhoods waking people up and ordering them out #gettyfire https://t.co/O7cuv63GTM
— Jon Passantino (@passantino) October 28, 2019
Former California first lady Maria Shriver said she was forced to grab her belongings and leave.
“So grateful to our firefighters putting their lives on the line for all of us. We have evacuated, but we’re safe. Praying for our neighbors,” she tweeted.
So grateful to our firefighters putting their lives on the line for all of us. We have evacuated, but we’re safe. Praying for our neighbors. #GettyFire #californiawildfires
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) October 28, 2019
Actress and author, Holly Robinson Pete, said smoke was impacting her neighborhood.
“Helicopters, high winds. Smoke Ash…405 closed nightmare Stay safe!!!” she tweeted.
Helicopters, high winds. Smoke Ash…405 closed nightmare
Stay safe!!! #MondayMorning #gettyfire https://t.co/WdW14CIYBp— Holly Robinson Peete ???? (@hollyrpeete) October 28, 2019
For updates go to https://www.lafd.org/news/getty-fire
#TRAFFIC UPDATE Topanga Canyon Blvd. closed from Mulholland Highway to Pacific Coast Highway for non-residents https://t.co/0bBxBCwKXB
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) October 28, 2019
.@CHPWestValley anticipating full closure of the SB 405 Fwy from the 101 to Sunset Blvd. "very soon." We deleted a previous tweet that said the lanes have already shut down https://t.co/9DUwMqL4ix
— KTLA (@KTLA) October 28, 2019
Current shelters for people evacuating due to the #GettyFire.
More info: https://t.co/46nuBN7zHX pic.twitter.com/3UGtsYPCMa
— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) October 28, 2019
