MALIBU—A beach house was destroyed by a fire on Saturday, September 18, where actress and former talk show host Ricki Lake was residing. The fire was reported shortly after 7:30 a.m. on 19800 Pacific Coast Highway. Lakewas inside the home with her two sons, ages 9 and 13, and her dog at the time of the incident. They were all able to escape the home without any injuries.
Canyon News spoke to Officer Waine Scott of the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department Arson Explosives Unit about the incident. He said that the cause of the fire was possibly a space heater, but officials are still investigating. According to reports, Lake was trying to refuel the portable heater when it ignited a couch in the home.
The structure was completely destroyed by the fire, which firefighters were able to extinguish within 20 minutes. Officer Scott stated that there is about $500,000 worth of damages to the home. The fire shut down the Pacific Coast Highway a few miles in both directions for about an hour-and-a-half as officials conducted their investigation.
The 41-year-old actress is now an advocate for home birth, but she was first known by many for her role in the 1988 movie “Hairspray” and for her talk show “Ricki Lake,” which debuted on television in 1993. The actress tweeted on Saturday, September 18, “Thank you everyone for your concerns and well wishes. My sons, beloved dog, and I are safe and very grateful.”
