Former Gold Coast Bulletin writer Sacha Strebe has lost her home in the Los Angeles wildfires
A Gold Coaster now living in Los Angeles has lost her dream home in the ‘apocalyptic’ wildfires, saying it feels like she’s in a nightmare.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
“Our house is gone. It’s gone”.
That was the moment former Gold Coaster Sacha Strebe realised she had lost her dream home to the “apocalyptic” Los Angeles wildfires.
The one-time Gold Coast Bulletin writer said the past few days had been the “most debilitating” of her life.
Five people have tragically died and at least 1500 homes and business have been destroyed as fires continue to wreak havoc in the Los Angeles area.
Along with 150,000 other residents, Ms Strebe and her family evacuated their dream home in the Altadena area on Thursday.
She shared a video of their home flattened by the fire and said she felt like she was “in a nightmare”.
“I keep having flashbacks of our memories in this place,” she said.
“They feel so crystal clear, like I’m just in a nightmare and I’m going to wake up soon in my bed.
“But I won’t ever wake up in this beautiful house again.”
Ms Strebe said she had been going through a rollercoaster of emotions.
“I have moments of clarity and focus, then I’m crying uncontrollably with an ache in my heart and unbearable pain for what we’ve lost but also the collective loss of our Altadena community,” she said.
She described the wildfires in Los Angeles, which have also destroyed the homes of comedian Billy Crystal, actors Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, and Top Gun Star Miles Teller, as “apocalyptic”.
“The neighbourhood is rubble on blackened earth, ash is falling from the sky and stings our eyes, the smoke inhalation burns our lungs and the sun strain through the billowing haze casting an era orange glow,” she said.
Ms Strebe said her family had decided to drive to Arizona to stay with her husband’s family as the Eaton fire was still not contained.
“This has been the most debilitating day of my life,” she said.
“I’m in shock, crying comes in waves, fried, deep despair and unbelievable pain.”
On Thursday, Ms Strebe’s colleague at lifestyle brand EyeSwoom, Elizabeth Trujillo, started a GoFundMe to help the family get back on their feet.
“Our beloved colleague, brilliant writer, creative, mother and friend, Sacha Strebe and her family have tragically lost their home to the devastating Eaton fire this morning,” she said.
“Their home, belongings and cherished memories were lost in the fire.”
Ms Trujillo said the Strebes had bought their home less than two years ago after eight years of renting in Los Angeles.
“They’ve poured their heart and soul into building this new family home over the last two years,” she said.
“Moving to this mountain home brought their family an ease and deep sense of peace.”
Ms Trujillo said she had created the GoFundMe, with a goal of $100,000 USD, to “support the Strebe family during this difficult time as they rebuild their lives in their beloved city”.
“These funds will support the Strebe family with temporary housing, replacing essential belongings, and providing them with the stability to recover from this unimaginable loss.”
Less than 22 hours after the page was launched, more than $63,000 USD had already been raised for the family.
More Coverage
Originally published as Former Gold Coast Bulletin writer Sacha Strebe has lost her home in the Los Angeles wildfires
31mm in 40 minutes as Coast drenched by heavy rain
Parts of the Gold Coast have already recorded more than 100 millimetres of rain, leading to flash flooding, and more falls are expected. READ THE LATEST
Backlash over keyboard warrior’s ugly rant
A keyboard warrior has come in for a torrent of criticism after an ugly online rant about a small business on the Gold Coast. Full details.