Dick Van Dyke praised the kindness of his neighbors who helped him evacuate a dangerous wildfire in California.
Back at his residence in Malibu, the 99-year-old Van Dyke opened up to NBC News on Thursday, December 12, for fleeing the property with his wife, Arlene Silver.
“I forgot how old I was and I realized I was crawling to get out,” he recalled, noting that he tried to prevent the fire by dousing his home with water using “a fire hose that connects to my pool “. However, his efforts did not bear fruit.
“I thought I’m not going to get out of here because I was trying to crawl to the car,” he shared. “I was exhausted. I couldn’t get up.”
Dick Van Dyk is in good spirits after canceling a string of public appearances. Van Dyke, 98, was spotted running errands with an assistant in Malibu, California on Monday, September 23. In a video posted by Page Six, the Hollywood legend was all smiles as he walked through a parking lot with a cane. “I’m quite old”, Van (…)
Fortunately, Van Dyke said, “Three neighbors came and carried me out, came back and put out a small fire in the guest house and saved me. Thank God for them.”
The NBC News interview included security camera footage showing Van Dyke, Silver, 53, and their pets evacuating their home with the help of their neighbors. Thanks to their quick action, Van Dyke returned to his house full of Hollywood memorabilia for his milestone 99th birthday on Friday, December 13.
Arlene Silver and Dick Van Dyke
Amy Sussman/Getty Images“I don’t think I would have made it,” he told the news channel. “God bless them and thank you for saving my life.”
Earlier this week, Van Dyke shared via Facebook which he and his wife had escaped the wildfires safely but they missed their cat named Bobo. “We pray that he gets well and that our Sierra Retreat community survives these terrible fires,” he wrote. The actor later confirmed in a comment to the post that the couple and their cat were back home and safe.
Veteran actor Dick Van Dyke will soon be celebrating his 99th birthday – and he’s marking the occasion with a TV guest appearance. The Mary Poppins star, who will turn 99 on Friday, Dec. 13, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, December 5. Van Dyke is joined by Chris Martin for TV (…)
Van Dyke is one of several stars affected by the wildfires, including Sher and Mira Sorvino. “To all my Malibu friends and neighbors I pray you stay safe,” Sorvino, 57, wrote through X on Tuesday, December 10. “We evacuated in the middle of the night, all children and pets were secured! Scary times!!”
Jane Seymour also confirmed that she and her family are safe after evacuating their home as she shares photos of the wildfires via Instagram. “My thoughts are with all those still in danger, the brave firefighters who risk everything to protect us, and the many who call Malibu home,” she wrote in front of a slideshow on Tuesday. “Let’s continue to support each other, stay informed and stay hopeful.” Our community is strong and together we will get through these challenging times.”
Dick Van Dyke’s home in Malibu.
APEX / MEGASeymour, 73, went on to thank first responders in the aftermath Instagram post on Wednesday, December 11. “We are deeply grateful for the amazing firefighters and incredible group of Malibu volunteer firefighters who risk everything to protect our homes and our community,” she wrote along with more photos and videos of wildfires. “This fire reminds us of the strength, courage, resilience and compassion that bind us together in the most difficult of times. Let us continue to support and lift each other up as we always do.”
She concluded: “Thank you to everyone who is fighting the flames and keeping us safe. Your courage is extraordinary.
According to NBC Newswildfires have burned more than 4,000 acres of land and destroyed several homes, and the fire was 30 percent contained by Thursday evening.
