Even in the disaster zones of Los Angeles’ raging infernos, small miracles emerge. Along the largely obliterated coastal communities stands a house almost entirely unscathed: Malibu’s “Wonder House.”
This modern, three-story beachfront property, surrounded by smoldering ruins as far as the eye can see, seems to defy the devastation. Built in 2000 and valued at $8 million, the villa belongs to David Steiner, CEO of a waste management company.
How Did the “Wonder House” Survive?
Amid the worst firestorm in Los Angeles’ history—with a grim toll of ten lives lost, around 10,000 structures destroyed, and over 100,000 residents evacuated—the survival of this house is nothing short of extraordinary. The total damages from the disaster could reach an estimated $150 billion.
Much of Malibu was ravaged by the particularly destructive “Palisades Fire,” which claimed the homes of stars like Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, and John Goodman. Yet, Steiner’s 390-square-meter property with four bedrooms and bathrooms remained intact, requiring only cleanup work.
Heroic Firefighters Save the Day
The credit for this miraculous survival goes to the relentless efforts of firefighters. On Wednesday evening, two neighboring houses and a garage were engulfed in flames. But the firefighters saw a glimmer of hope for Steiner’s home. They concentrated their efforts, drenching the villa’s white façade with water to keep it cool, even as the battle for the nearby structures was lost.
For 20 hours, firefighters continued to pump water, particularly onto an adjacent building where flames had started in the basement. “We couldn’t send our crew inside because the ceiling was unstable,” one firefighter explained, holding a hose. “So, we flooded the hotspots instead.”
The Palisades Fire Rages On
As of Friday, the Palisades Fire, which has scorched 80 square kilometers and left entire communities from Pacific Palisades to Malibu in ashes, was only eight percent contained. While the battle against the inferno continues, the story of Malibu’s “Wonder House” stands as a rare beacon of resilience amid overwhelming destruction.
