Meryl Streep’s dramatic escape from the Los Angeles wildfires has been revealed by her nephew.
The actress, 75, was forced to think outside of the box after being instructed to evacuate her home and discovering that a large tree had fallen, which blocked her only exit.
Abe Streep told how the three-time Oscar-winner was undeterred and “borrowed wire cutters” so she could cut a “car-size hole” in her fence enabling her to escape to safety.
Writing in New York magazine, Mr Streep said: “Evacuation mandates were sent across the city. My aunt Meryl Streep received an order to evacuate on January 8, but when she tried to leave, she discovered that a large tree had fallen over in her driveway, blocking her only exit.
“Determined to make it out, she borrowed wire cutters from a neighbour, cut a car-size hole in the fence she shared with the neighbors on the other side, and drove through their yard to escape.”
Elsewhere in the article, Mr Streep said he had also spoken to his aunt’s Only Murders in the Building co-star Martin Short, 74, who had also been instructed to flee as Southern California was ravaged by the blazes.
While in an emergency situation, the general rule is to leave all personal belongings behind, but Short first gathered his family photo albums before evacuating the building.
Thankfully, his house survived the disaster, with Short vowing: “I will definitely stay in my home.”
Thousands of Los Angeles residents were not as lucky, losing their homes in the historic Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires, including Anna Ferris, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Eugene Levy, Billy Crystal and Paris Hilton.
As a state of emergency was declared, a number of high-profile stars pitched in to help with rescue efforts.
While Police Academy actor Steve Guttenberg, 66, rolled up his sleeves to help move cars from the streets to allow emergency vehicle access, others like Beyonce, 43, opened their wallets and donated money to help those left displaced and homeless.
