Beloved actor Dick Van Dyke, just days shy of his 99th birthday, narrowly escaped the fast-moving Franklin Fire that scorched through Malibu this week. Thanks to the swift actions of his neighbors, Van Dyke and his family were safely evacuated, averting a potential tragedy.
A Close Call in Malibu
Van Dyke described the terrifying ordeal, recounting how flames crept over a hill near his home. Although he has faced wildfires before, he admitted to being caught unprepared this time.
“I have a fire hose that hooks up to my pool and shoots, like, a 70-foot stream of water,” Van Dyke told NBC News. “Well, I wasn’t ready. It was snarled, and I’m out there laying on the ground trying to undo this fire hose, and the fire’s coming over the hill. What I did was exhaust myself. I forgot how old I am and realized I was crawling to get out.”
As the fire closed in, Van Dyke found himself unable to move. Fortunately, three heroic neighbors came to his aid. “I was trying to crawl to the car, and I couldn’t get up. They carried me out,” he said.
Van Dyke, his wife Arlene, and their pets quickly evacuated to a hotel in Santa Monica—a place rich with memories, as he performed there back in 1948.
Damage Averted, Thanks to Quick Thinking
After ensuring Van Dyke was safe, the neighbors returned to his property to extinguish flames that had ignited his guest house. Their efforts saved both his life and his home, which suffered only minor damage.
“[They] got me out of here, or I wouldn’t have done it. I don’t think I would have made it,” he said.
A Tribute to Firefighters
Van Dyke also extended heartfelt praise to the firefighters tackling the Franklin Fire. “They must be exhausted, those guys, but they deserve every accolade they can get.”
The Franklin Fire’s Destructive Path
The Franklin Fire erupted on Monday night and by Thursday morning had scorched 4,037 acres with only 7% containment. The blaze destroyed nine structures, forced road closures, and put 20,000 residents under evacuation orders or warnings.
Actor Jane Seymour was also affected. She shared dramatic photos of flames nearing her home on Instagram and expressed gratitude to firefighters. “While the Franklin Fire continues to burn in Malibu and has gotten extremely close to our home, we remain evacuated and we are safe,” she wrote.
Resilience in the Face of Danger
Van Dyke’s close call underscores the unpredictable dangers of wildfire season and the importance of community. His gratitude to both his neighbors and the firefighters reflects the spirit of resilience and solidarity in the face of nature’s fury.
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Photo Credit: Serge Rocco / Shutterstock.com