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Despite the destruction caused by the Palisades Fire in Malibu, California, a multimillion-dollar home is remarkably intact.

The story of this survival has captured public attention and raised questions about what saved the $9 million property owned by David Steiner, a retired waste-management executive from Texas. Let’s explore the factors behind this extraordinary tale of resilience.

The Owner’s Perspective: “A Miracle”

David Steiner, 64, described the survival of his three-story Malibu home as nothing short of a miracle. “It’s a miracle — miracles never cease,” Steiner said. On Tuesday, as the Palisades Fire consumed properties around his home, Steiner received grim updates from a local contractor. The contractor had sent him videos showing flames engulfing his neighbors' homes and smoke billowing dangerously close to his.

Initially, Steiner believed his home was a lost cause. “It looked like nothing could have possibly survived that, and I thought we had lost the house,” he said. However, when the smoke cleared, photos surfaced showing his house still standing, unscathed in the middle of charred ruins. Steiner recalled the emotional moment he realized his home had survived. “My wife sent me something this morning that said, ‘Last house standing,’” he said. “And it brought a pretty big smile to my face at a pretty bad time.”

The Malibu property, which is situated along the Pacific Coast Highway, is valued at almost $9 million.

The beach front properties before the fires.

Construction: Built to Endure

Steiner attributes his mansion’s survival to its robust construction, designed to withstand California’s environmental challenges. The home was built with materials and techniques meant to protect it from earthquakes, a frequent concern in the region, but these features also proved invaluable during the wildfire.

Key Features of the Mansion’s Design:

• Stucco and Stone Walls: These non-flammable materials acted as a shield against the fire’s intense heat.
• Fireproof Roof: A critical element, the roof prevented embers from igniting the structure from above.
• Deep Foundation: The house includes pilings that extend 50 feet into the bedrock, ensuring stability against seismic activity and offering additional resilience during the fire.
• Location and Layout: While the home is near the Pacific Coast Highway, which the wildfire unexpectedly crossed, its positioning and structural design may have minimized its exposure to direct flames.

Steiner acknowledged the home’s design played a vital role, remarking, “The architecture is pretty nice. But the stucco and fireproof roof are real nice.”

Why Some Homes Survive While Others Don’t

The survival of Steiner’s mansion underscores the importance of fire-resistant construction and preventive measures. In California, where wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, some homes are better equipped to withstand such disasters.

Factors That Determine a Home’s Survival in Wildfires:

1. Building Materials: Non-combustible materials like stucco, stone, and metal roofs significantly reduce fire risk.
2. Defensible Space: Homes with cleared vegetation and strategic landscaping around them are less likely to catch fire.
3. Proactive Fireproofing: Fireproof coatings, sealed vents, and ember-resistant windows further enhance a home’s protection.
4. Location: Properties with natural barriers or those on open land are often less exposed to the rapid spread of flames.

Despite these measures, Steiner admitted that he never anticipated a wildfire reaching his coastal home. “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,” he said.

A Grateful but Sobering Reflection

While Steiner is grateful his family’s property survived, he remains grounded in the face of such widespread destruction. “It wasn’t a happy time,” he said, recalling the tense hours when his house’s fate was uncertain. He noted that his loss would have been replaceable compared to the tragic human toll of the wildfire. “I was getting texts from people saying, ‘We’re praying for you. It’s so horrible,’” he said, emphasizing that while his home was spared, many others were not as fortunate.

Lessons Learned: Preparing for the Future

The story of Steiner’s mansion offers valuable lessons in resilience and preparedness for homeowners in fire-prone areas. Investing in fire-resistant construction, maintaining defensible space, and utilizing modern fireproofing technologies can mean the difference between survival and destruction in a wildfire.

As California faces the growing threat of wildfires fueled by climate change, Steiner’s miraculous story stands as both a beacon of hope and a reminder of the importance of preparation and innovation. While luck may have played a role, the mansion's survival underscores the critical need for robust construction and proactive planning in the fight against nature's fury.

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