10/1/2025–|Last updated: 10/1/202510:01 PM (Mecca time)
US President Joe Biden announced on Friday that the devastating fires had turned Los Angeles in California into something resembling a war zone, and confirmed that looting had occurred in the city.
Biden said in a speech from the White House that the fires in Los Angeles remind him of war scenes, where targets are being bombed.
He added that there was clear evidence of looting amid the chaos caused by the disaster.
The US President condemned the exploitation of these fires to promote what he described as misleading information.
Biden’s statements come as the fire continues for the fourth day to devour a number of suburbs of the second largest city in the United States.
The fires broke out last Tuesday in an area located 40 kilometers north of downtown Los Angeles, and their scope gradually expanded due to strong winds.
The fires have so far resulted in the death of 10 people, destroyed 10,000 homes, buildings and large agricultural areas, and forced more than 137,000 people to flee.
Los Angeles authorities said today that 58,000 buildings are at risk from the fires, adding that evacuation orders have been issued for about 153,000 people.
-Looting and curfew
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Police Chief Robert Luna announced that a curfew will be imposed starting this evening local time in all areas subject to mandatory population evacuations.
Regarding the extent of the destruction, Luna said in a press conference, “It was as if an atomic bomb had fallen on these areas.”
Last night, the authorities imposed a curfew after arresting several people involved in looting in the areas affected by the fires.
According to California officials, the fire in the Eaton area near Pasadena destroyed or damaged between 4,000 and 5,000 buildings, while the fire in the Palisades area between Santa Monica and Malibu in West Los Angeles destroyed or damaged about 5,300 buildings.
Estimates indicate that the damage and economic losses resulting from the fires – which experts described as the largest in the state’s history – range between $135 billion and $150 billion.
The fires spread quickly to several areas, including the Hollywood Hills, and destroyed famous areas such as Sunset Boulevard, which witnessed great destruction.
Fire brigades are facing difficulties in controlling the fires due to strong winds and drought.
