A luxurious Los Angeles home owned by Keith Wasserman, co-founder of Gelt Venture Partners, has been completely destroyed by the devastating Palisades Fire, according to official records on LA County’s recovery website. The high-profile real estate investor had previously stirred controversy for seeking private fire protection amidst the raging wildfires.

Social media backlash over private firefighter plea

As flames engulfed the Pacific Palisades, Wasserman posted on social media urgently seeking private firefighter services to save his home. “Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades? I need to act fast here. All neighbor’s houses were burning. I will pay any amount. Thank you,” he wrote in a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter).

Wildfires wreak havoc in Los Angeles

The Palisades Fire is part of a series of wildfires that have devastated Los Angeles County over the past week. The death toll has climbed to 24, with eight fatalities recorded in the Palisades Fire and 16 in the Eaton Fire, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office. An additional 16 people remain unaccounted for, with officials warning that the number could rise.

The wildfires have burned over 62 square miles—an area larger than San Francisco—and destroyed more than 12,000 structures. Evacuation orders remain in place for approximately 150,000 residents as firefighters battle to contain the blaze. The fires, including the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst fires, have been fueled by strong winds, with forecasters warning of further spread.

No cause determined yet

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the wildfires, which have caused unprecedented destruction across the region. As recovery efforts continue, the focus remains on containing the fires and assisting affected communities.