South African actress is amongst the latest affected in the tragic LA wildfires that have continued to sweep through the city since 7 January 2025.
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Christel Smith, renowned for her role as Tarien in the beloved M-Net soapie Egoli, is grappling with losing her Hollywood Hills home, which was destroyed in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires this week.
The inferno, which has claimed at least 10 lives and obliterated over 9,000 structures, tore through Smith’s affluent neighbourhood on Wednesday. Sharing her heartbreak on social media, Smith described the aftermath as “Armageddon,” revealing that her family narrowly escaped with their pets but lost everything else.
“We lost everything,” Smith wrote. “All my Egoli memorabilia and photos are gone. I even kept possessions from my late friend and co-star, Esta TerBlanche, to give to her family. Now it’s all burnt.”
Smith moved to Hollywood nearly 30 years ago to pursue her acting dreams and has appeared in hit shows like CSI Cyber and Rake. She is currently staying with friends alongside her husband, Edward Durkin, and their 13-year-old son, Eddie, as they attempt to rebuild their lives.
The fires, described as possibly the most expensive wildfire disaster in U.S. history, have ravaged Los Angeles County, destroying the homes of other celebrities, including Paris Hilton and Anthony Hopkins. Authorities warn the danger isn’t over yet, with red flag warnings still in effect.
For Smith, the focus now is on moving forward, even as she mourns the loss of a lifetime of memories. “It’s so surreal,” she said. “But we’re safe, and that’s what matters.”
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