As flames ripped through Malibu, consuming multimillion-dollar homes along the Pacific Coast Highway, one property has gone viral on social media for standing defiant amidst the destruction.
Retired waste-management executive David Steiner, 64, was stunned to learn that his $9 million, three-story mansion emerged unscathed.
“It’s a miracle — miracles never cease,” Steiner – a Texas resident and father of three – told the New York Post.
As images of his property have circulated on social media platforms like X, the uniquely designed California home has since become a beacon of survival among the charred ruins of neighboring properties.
A Close Call Amid the Chaos
Steiner revealed that he had resigned himself to losing the house when a local contractor sent him video footage on Tuesday showing the wildfire engulfing his property and others nearby.
“[The contractor] was watching the news reports and saw my neighbor’s house going down and told me, ‘It looks like your house is going, too,’” Steiner recounted.
“When I got the video, it looked like nothing could have possibly survived that, and I thought we had lost the house.”
But when the smoke cleared, the mansion was miraculously intact. Photos of the white stucco-and-stone structure standing amidst the ashes soon began circulating in the news and social media, and Steiner’s phone lit up with messages.
“I started getting pictures and realized we had made it through,” Steiner said. “My wife sent me something this morning that said, ‘Last house standing.’ And it brought a pretty big smile to my face at a pretty bad time.”
Property’s Unique Design Saves It?
Steiner credits the home’s robust construction for its survival, noting its fire-resistant features likely saved it from the Palisades Fire that obliterated surrounding properties.
“It’s stucco and stone with a fireproof roof,” he explained. The house also includes pilings “like 50 feet into the bedrock” to protect it from powerful waves crashing into the seawall below.
“To be totally honest with you, I never in a million years thought a wildfire would jump to the Pacific Coast Highway and start a fire,” Steiner admitted. “I thought, ‘If we ever have an earthquake, this would be the last thing to go.’ I honestly didn’t think that if we had a fire, this would be the last thing to go. And it was.”
The 4,200-square-foot, four-bedroom property, purchased from a producer, even boasts a distinctive cruise ship-inspired design. “The fireplace chimney looks like the smokestack of a boat,” Steiner said. “And the back balcony feels like the balcony off a cruise ship because you’re right there on the water.”
Social Media Reacts To ‘Miracle’
After photos went viral on social media, X users shared their reactions to Steiner’s property.
“That’s a pretty well made house. I’m happy for him. But heartbroken for so many who lost everything,” one person tweeted.
Another added: “So it is possible to build a fireproof and earthquake resistant home.”
“That’s incredible! It’s amazing how some places can withstand nature’s fury,” a third wrote, with a fourth highlighting: “It’s cool that his house survived but now imagine living in there knowing literally everything around you has burned down to the ground and all your friends are homeless.”
Others described the structure’s survival as “luck” and a “miracle”.
Gratitude Amid the Loss
While Steiner is grateful for the survival of his home, he remains empathetic toward those less fortunate.
“It wasn’t a happy time,” he said of watching the smoke and flames threatening his house. “I was getting texts from people saying, ‘We’re praying for you. It’s so horrible.’ I said, ‘Don’t pray for me — what I lost is material goods.’
“I lost a property, but others lost their homes.”
Steiner added that the property was no longer being used as a residence and did not contain sentimental family items. He explained that he originally bought it to visit his sons while they attended school in the area.
“My heart goes out to those who lost their homes,” he said.
Though his mansion likely suffered smoke damage, Steiner isn’t overly concerned, thanks to insurance coverage — albeit limited to “only 50 percent for a wildfire.”
Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles
Sky News reports that at least 11 people have been killed, and over 10,000 structures have been destroyed since the fires began on Thursday. Authorities estimate damages will exceed $135 billion, per BBC News.
More than 180,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, and emergency services continue to battle blazes such as the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have claimed multiple lives.
A spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed they are providing consular assistance to Rory’s family but declined to comment further due to privacy obligations.
Dr Sykes, speaking to reporters, expressed the unimaginable loss of her son, whom she described as a “wonderful son” and a “gift born on mine and his grandma’s birthday”.
“My heart is broken,” she said.
