Major Los Angeles fires ‘zero percent’ contained, officials slam looting

LOS ANGELES, United States: The two largest fires burning in Los Angeles remain “zero percent” contained on Thursday despite firefighting operations, officials said, as they also vowed to tackle looting of evacuated homes.

A 17,000-acre blaze in Pacific Palisades has become “one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles,” said city fire chief Kristin Crowley, while a 10,000-acre fire in Altadena was also at “zero percent containment,” said county fire chief Anthony Marrone.

Officials warned of a severe crackdown on looters who have targeted empty homes after tens of thousands of residents were forced to flee.

“In the midst of the emergency, we´ve all seen individuals who are targeting vulnerable communities by burglarizing and looting homes. This is simply unacceptable,” said LA county official Kathryn Barger.

“I promise you, you will be held accountable. Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis,” Barger said, adding police patrols were on duty and 20 arrests had been made.Hotel heiress Paris Hilton, 43, said she watched her seafront Malibu home burn to the ground on live television, writing on Instagram that she was “heartbroken beyond words.”

“My heart aches for those still in harm´s way or mourning greater losses. The devastation is unimaginable,” Hilton wrote.

She later shared a video of her five Pomeranians in the back of a car and said she was traveling to a hotel to take shelter.

Two-time Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins, perhaps best known for his role in “The Silence of the Lambs,” reportedly lost his luxurious home.

Pictures appeared to show the 87-year-old´s property burned to the ground, though Hopkins has yet to issue a public statement.Among those who died was 66-year-old Victor Shaw, whose sister said he had ignored pleas to leave as the fire swept through Altadena because he wanted to protect their home.

“When I went back in and yelled out his name, he didn´t reply back,” Shari Shaw said.

“I had to get out because the embers were so big and flying like a firestorm that I had to save myself.”