During Thursday’s broadcast of Good Morning Britain, host Ranvir Singh announced ‘breaking news’ just minutes into the programme.
The 47-year-old presenter reported: “Good Morning Britain, breaking news Hollywood is under thick smoke and roads are gridlocked as new wildfires bring fresh devastation in Los Angeles”, adding that at least five people have died due to the catastrophic California wildfires.
Ranvir went on to detail: “Five people have been killed and more than 130,000 ordered to leave their homes. Hurricane force winds are fanning the flames and fire fighters report a shortage of water to tackle the fires, which are raging across the city.”
Ed Balls, her co-host, relayed: “Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton and actor James Wood they are amongst the celebrities who have lost their homes in the fires and hurricane force winds are fanning the flames and fire fighters say there’s a shortage of water, having to take water from swimming pools and ponds.”
Further into the show, Ranvir and Ed interviewed ITV star Ross King live from Los Angeles. He described the situation as the ‘scariest’ and ‘weirdest’ experience he’s had to contend with while preparing to evacuate his own residence, reports the Manchester Evening News.
It comes as Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal have described the anguish they feel at losing the respective homes they raised their children in, amid the “unprecedented wildfires” raging across Los Angeles.
Thousands of firefighters were attempting to contain the original Palisades fire, which has burnt nearly 16,000 acres, and seven others across southern California which threaten to destroy more homes and lives as strong winds scattered embers.
The wildfires have seen the city declare a state of emergency, with at least 70,000 people forced to evacuate their homes as the metropolitan area became blanketed in a thick cloud of smoke and ash.
The latest update saw a new fire break out in the Hollywood Hills, threatening a host of tourist sites including the Walk of Fame.
More than 1,400 firefighters remained on the scene, alongside 267 fire engines and nine helicopters, according to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Last month residents in Malibu were evacuated from a wind-driven blaze dubbed the Franklin Fire, which saw more than 4,000 acres burn and stars including Dick Van Dyke, Cher and Jane Seymour forced to leave their homes.
Good Morning Britain continues on weekdays at 6am on both ITV and ITV X.