Well, not exactly under fire, they were all evacuated before the fire could reach them. But the multi-million pounds homes of celebrities in Malibu Hills in southern California could not be saved from wild fires.

A-list stars who live in the exclusive neighbourhood include Barbra Streisand, Pierce Brosnan and Ted Danson are all said to be warned. Mel Gibson and Olivia Newton John’s homes have been evacuated because of the fires, which are expected to rage for days.

The Malibu fire burned 2,200 acres from dawn to dusk and destroyed at least 10 buildings, including a landmark castle-like house and a Presbyterian church, officials said. No injuries were reported. Weather forecasts indicated that fire-fighters and residents faced two more days of high winds, hot temperatures and low humidity in the drought-stricken region.