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. Looking northeast over Malibu, showing the Malibu Lagoon (lower right) sticking out near the Malibu Pier (middle right). North of the lagoon Malibu Road splits off from Pacific Coast Highway and Civic Center Way runs along PCH then branches off (lower left, foreground). Beachfront homes are located on Malibu Colony Road, which runs along the shore. The Santa Monica Mountains are present in the background (upper left). The white smoke seen near upper portion is what remains from the earlier Malibu fire, which ravaged the foothill terrain and canyons days earlier. 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.
