Hollywood stars lose their homes as wildfires burn through Los Angeles | In pictures News

The Hollywood Hills were burning out of control Thursday morning as one of the worst wildfires in Los Angeles’ history swept across the city in flames from the sky.

A wildfire broke out in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night, threatening the US film industry as firefighters battled to contain it amid dry, gusty winds that hampered operations and fanned the flames.

At least six wildfires have been burning in Los Angeles County, killing at least five people and putting 130,000 people under evacuation orders as the blaze ravages communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena.

Homes of movie stars and celebrities were among those engulfed in flames, which tore through some of the world’s most luxurious real estate and more than showbiz landmarks that are quickly seen around the world.

The flames have reached Calabasas and Santa Monica, home to California’s rich and famous. Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes and Paris Hilton were among the stars who lost their homes. Billy Crystal and his wife Janice lost their home of 45 years in the Palisades Fire.

“This storm is huge,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said at a press conference after rushing to the city, cutting short an official visit to Ghana.

Several Hollywood studios halted production, and Universal Studios closed its theme park between Pasadena and Pacific Palisades.

More than a dozen schools in the area were damaged or destroyed, including Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in several Hollywood productions, including the 1976 horror film Carrie and the TV series Teen Wolf, officials said.

The University of California, Los Angeles has canceled classes for the week.