Title supplied by cataloger. The Malibu fire of December 27, 1956, apparently started on Backus Summit, inland from Zuma Beach. It destroyed 35 homes, killed one person, and injured thirty-three others - both firemen and civilians. Flames shot high enough to be seen from miles away, and the heat was so intense that rocks exploded, and embers and sparks showered down out of the hills across Pacific Coast Highway. Several of the homes destroyed were those of Hollywood personalities, including television's Ralph Edwards. The Malibu fire was described as the worst Los Angeles County fire since 1938. Aerial view of Malibu mountain range; view is looking west. Photograph shows white puffs of smoke near upper portion of the mountain, the remains from an earlier Malibu fire that ravaged the foothill terrain and canyons days earlier. Thirty-three beachfront homes, located on Pacific Coast Highway (not visible) and several other multi-million dollar homes that were nestled along the mountain, were lost in the fire, with numerous others compromised. The visible road running vertically along the top of the mountain is possibly Palm Canyon Lane, with Serra Road veering down hill. Photograph dated December 29, 1956.
Type
image
Format
1 negative :safety ;12 x 14 cm. Photographic safety negatives
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.