A trash tycoon shared how his Malibu home miraculously survived wildfires while neighboring houses were completely destroyed.
Amid devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles, one home stood untouched amidst the destruction.
This remarkable story centers around a $9 million mansion owned by David Steiner, a retired waste management executive from Texas.
While countless homes in the area were reduced to ashes, Steiner’s three-story residence remained intact.
The impact of the LA wildfires
The wildfires, which began on January 7, quickly spread due to strong winds and dry conditions.
They engulfed neighborhoods and left thousands of residents without power.
Reports indicated that over 10,000 structures were destroyed, and at least 10 lives were lost.
Amid this chaos, Steiner’s home became an unexpected survivor.
The house features a fireproof design.
Steiner’s mansion is not just a regular house; it was built with special features that make it resilient against natural disasters.
The home has a fireproof roof, strong stucco and stone walls, and deep foundations that anchor it to the bedrock.
These elements were designed to protect against earthquakes, but they proved to be vital against wildfires as well.
“To be totally honest with you, I never in a million years thought a wildfire would jump to the Pacific Coast Highway and start a fire,” Steiner said.
“I thought, ‘If we ever have an earthquake, this would be the last thing to go.’
“I honestly didn’t think that if we had a fire, this would be the last thing to go. The architecture is pretty nice. But the stucco and fireproof roof are real nice.”
David Steiner was stunned by survival.
David Steiner expressed his disbelief at how his home survived.
He had always thought that if an earthquake struck, his house would be the last to go.
A local contractor, who was monitoring the fire’s progress, sent him a video showing flames nearing his property.
Steiner thought for sure his home would be lost, just like many of his neighbors’ houses.
As the fire raged on, Steiner received numerous messages from friends and acquaintances expressing concern for his property.
He was shocked when he saw images of his house still standing while everything around it was charred and destroyed.
“It felt like a miracle,” he said, overwhelmed by the support and concern he received during this time.
“It looked like nothing could have possibly survived that, and I thought we had lost the house,” he admitted.
Steiner remains humble despite his fortune.
Despite his good fortune, Steiner remained humble. He understood that many others had lost everything.
“What I lost is just material,” he remarked.
Although he was relieved his house survived, he felt deep empathy for those who were not as fortunate.
His home, which he bought many years ago when his sons were in school nearby, was not even his primary residence.
He felt less affected by the loss, lacking heirlooms or valuables.
The wildfires have deeply affected the Los Angeles community.
Thousands of people have been displaced, and many are left to pick up the pieces after losing their homes and belongings.
Steiner has been receiving messages of support, with friends telling him they were praying for him.
However, he has redirected their concern, emphasizing that his situation, while unfortunate, is not as dire as others.
