A U.S. businessman’s Malibu villa has stood as a lone survivor amidst the devastation caused by the Palisades fire, a wildfire that ravaged Los Angeles County, destroying over 20,000 acres and more than 5,000 homes and businesses. Despite widespread destruction, David Steiner’s $9 million, three-story property emerged unscathed, a phenomenon he attributes to the unique construction and design of his home.
The Palisades fire, one of several wildfires that have gripped Los Angeles in recent days, has left a catastrophic impact. Described as the “biggest” fire yet by Sky News, it consumed entire neighborhoods, including the homes of celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Anna Faris, Eugene Levy, and Billy Crystal. Strong winds and dry conditions exacerbated the flames, while the Kenneth fire near Calabasas and Hidden Hills is being investigated as an act of arson. Authorities arrested a man on suspicion of arson after vigilant residents detained him until police arrived.
Steiner, a retired waste-management tycoon, was certain his home would succumb to the blaze when he saw video footage from his contractor showing smoke and flames engulfing neighboring properties on January 7. “My contractor told me, ‘It looks like your house is going too,’” Steiner shared with the New York Post. Expecting the worst, Steiner braced himself for the loss. However, he was soon inundated with messages from people informing him that his house was making headlines—not as another casualty but as a remarkable survivor.
To his surprise, his villa was seen towering above the rubble of its destroyed neighbors, untouched by the fire. “I started getting pictures and realized we had made it through,” Steiner said. His wife even texted him a message reading, ‘Last house standing,’ which brought a bittersweet smile to his face during a time of overwhelming loss in the community.
Steiner attributes his home’s survival to its robust, earthquake-resistant design. Built with “ultra-sturdy construction,” the 4,200-square-foot, four-bedroom villa is made of stucco and stone, featuring a fireproof roof and pilings embedded 50 feet into the bedrock for stability against seismic activity. “It’s built like a cruise ship,” Steiner remarked. While the home was designed to withstand earthquakes, he never imagined it would also resist a wildfire of this magnitude. “To be honest, I thought this would be the last house to go in an earthquake—but a fire? I didn’t expect it to survive. And it did.”
Steiner expressed gratitude for his fortune but remained deeply aware of the broader devastation. While his property was not his family’s primary residence—he purchased the house after two of his sons were enrolled in nearby schools—he empathized with those who had lost everything. “I was getting texts from people saying, ‘We’re praying for you. It’s so horrible,’” he recounted. “I said, ‘Don’t pray for me; what I lost is material goods. Others lost their homes, their memories, their lives.’”
Though his house survived the inferno, Steiner suspects it may have sustained some smoke damage. He also acknowledged that his wildfire insurance would only cover 50% of any damage incurred. Despite these concerns, Steiner feels fortunate compared to the countless families left homeless by the fire.
As Los Angeles grapples with the aftermath of the Palisades fire and other blazes, Steiner’s story offers a glimmer of resilience amid destruction. However, it also serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of wildfires fueled by climate change, arid conditions, and human actions. While Steiner’s villa stood as a testament to thoughtful construction, the overwhelming losses in Los Angeles highlight the need for systemic solutions to protect communities from future disaster.
