Amid the Los Angeles wildfires, the business tycoon shares how the ‘miracle’ property remained completely ‘untouched’
Among the many properties completely destroyed in the Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles, one $9 million home remarkably escaped unscathed.
David Steiner, the owner of this house, attributes its survival to specific features and design that may explain this extraordinary outcome.
The fires that swept through Los Angeles have consumed over 20,000 acres of land, leaving a trail of devastation. Emergency teams have successfully extinguished three of the eight active wildfires thus far.
Reports indicate that more than 5,000 structures, including residences, businesses, and landmarks, have been lost to the flames. Officials suspect that the Kenneth Fire, which endangers properties near Calabasas and Hidden Hills, was deliberately started. A man has been arrested in connection with this fire. Local residents detained the suspect, who was reportedly seen riding a bicycle, carrying a torch, and attempting to ignite garbage bins and discarded Christmas trees before police arrived.
Among those who have lost their homes in the fires are several well-known celebrities, including Anna Faris, Eugene Levy, Paris Hilton, and Billy Crystal.
Meanwhile, David Steiner, a successful businessman in the waste-management industry, finds it extraordinary that his property was spared from destruction.
On January 7, Steiner received a video from a local contractor who captured the fire’s progression. At the time, Steiner believed his three-story house was doomed as he watched his neighbor’s home consumed by flames.
"[The contractor] was following the news and saw the fire engulf my neighbor’s house. He told me, ‘It looks like your house is next,’" Steiner recalled during an interview with the New York Post.
However, Steiner soon began receiving phone calls and messages informing him that his home was featured prominently in news coverage, having survived the disaster.
“I started getting pictures and realized our house had made it through,” he said. “This morning, my wife sent me a message saying, ‘Last house standing.’ It was a small moment of joy during a difficult time.”
Steiner attributes his house’s survival to its robust and unique construction, which resembles the design of a cruise ship.
“It’s built with an ultra-durable structure, designed to withstand earthquakes,” he explained. The house is constructed with stucco and stone, features a fire-resistant roof, and is supported by deep pilings that extend approximately 50 feet into the bedrock, ensuring stability even under extreme conditions.
“To be completely honest, I never thought a wildfire could leap across the Pacific Coast Highway and ignite here,” Steiner said. “I always assumed if an earthquake struck, this house would stand firm. I never expected it to be the last standing in a fire. But that’s exactly what happened.”
He also acknowledged the architectural and material choices that likely contributed to the house’s resilience. “The design is beautiful, but the stucco and fireproof roof made a big difference,” he noted.
As friends and acquaintances reached out to express their concern and share their prayers, Steiner emphasized that while losing his property would be unfortunate, it would not compare to the loss experienced by others. “It’s just a house to me, not a home filled with family memories,” he said. “The people who have truly lost everything need our prayers and support.”
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