10,000 homes and other structures have been destroyed as a result of the fires
The architect of a Los Angeles home that miraculously survived the devastating wildfires has detailed the ‘design choices’ that helped.
Local Officials have confirmed at least six fires are blazing in the LA region, with the latest, the Archer fire, out of control after starting on Friday (January 10).
At least 11 people have lost their lives as a result of the devastating fires, while more than 10,000 homes and other structures are said to have been destroyed.
We have heard stories of houses surviving the fire despite all properties around them being destroyed. Such news has provided remarkable but chilling pictures.
11 people have died as a result of the wildfires (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
One particular image is doing the rounds on social media, showing a house still standing as all the nearby properties have been burnt to a crisp.
But how did the house survive?
Well, the building’s architect has since taken to Twitter to reveal how.
“No words really – just a horror show. Some of the design choices we made here helped. But we were also very lucky,” the architect who goes by the name of ‘g chasen’ wrote alongside a photo of the house.
“Architect on this. Will share a detailed thread after the dust settles a bit,” the architect added.
He explained in the comments of the Twitter post that he had designed the house for a friend.
While the house has sustained some damage, the architect explained how the property is ‘totally liveable’.
Speaking of how the house survived the blaze, ‘g chasen’ penned: “Also no vents or eaves and tempered glass windows. Lucky that there was bit more space from the neighbors – but unlucky that the neighbor pulled his car into driveway. Solid concrete perimeter wall probably saved us there.”
The house remarkably survived (Twitter/@ChasenGreg)
He added: “The trail of 1200° molten aluminum stands out. The neighbor moved his car into the driveway before leaving – this may have burned his house down.”
As for the damage caused, the architect added: “A couple glass panels will require replacement. Otherwise fine. A tiny bit of ash residue collected on the interior sill there.”
David Steiner, from Texas, is another one of the lucky ones as his $9 million Malibu mansion is somehow still standing after the raging fires approached his home.
As for how the mansion survived the fire, Steiner told the New York Post how the property’s ‘ultra-sturdy construction’ likely saved it from the fires.
“It’s stucco and stone with a fireproof roof,’’ he said.
