"I couldn't get up"— Dick Van Dyke recalls how neighbors helped save him during Malibu Fire

76th Creative Arts Emmys - Winner
Dick Van Dyke (Image via Getty)

Safely back home, Dick Van Dyke has shared the terrifying ordeal he faced during the recent Malibu fire. The actor, who turns 99 on December 13, 2024, recounted his escape, made possible by the efforts of his neighbors.

Speaking to a local news outlet in an interview aired on the Today show on December 12, 2024, Van Dyke described the moment he realized the fire's proximity.

"It was coming from the hill, you could see it. And oh my God, and we got out of here," the Mary Poppins star said.

As flames encroached, the screen legend found himself struggling to evacuate, exhausted and unable to stand.

"I was trying to crawl to the car, I had exhausted myself, I couldn't get up0. Three neighbors came and carried me out and came back and put out a little fire in the guest house and saved me," he recounted.

Dick Van Dyke's harrowing evacuation and Bobo's rescue

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Dick Van Dyke and his wife, Arlene Silver, evacuated their home on Tuesday, December 10, along with their pets. However, the couple's cat, Bobo, went missing during the hurried departure.

"Bobo escaped as we were leaving. We're praying he'll be okay and that our community in Serra Retreat will survive these terrible fires," Van Dyke shared on Facebook.

The Malibu wildfire, named the Franklin Fire, has already scorched over 4,000 acres and is only 7% contained as of now, according to Deadline. Dick Van Dyke is one of thousands of residents forced to flee the blaze. The couple's evacuation was captured on their Ring Doorbell camera, showing the gravity of the situation as they hurried to safety.

Van Dyke later announced that Bobo had been found unharmed. In a Facebook post shared on Thursday, December 12, 2024, he expressed his relief, writing:

"We found Bobo as soon as we arrived back home this morning."

He added that the cat's disappearance had garnered significant attention, prompting Animal Control to assist in the search.

"Thankfully, he was easy to find and not harmed," Van Dyke concluded with a heart emoji.

Dick Van Dyke's neighbors in the Malibu community not only ensured his safety but also helped extinguish flames threatening his property.

Singer Cher, 78, was among those evacuated in the early morning of December 10, 2024. Her representative later confirmed her safety. Actress Mira Sorvino also shared her experience on X (formerly Twitter).

"All my Malibu friends and neighbors I pray that you are safe. We evacuated in the middle of the night, kids and pets all accounted for! Scary times!!" she wrote.

In terms of current projects, Dick Van Dyke recently made a guest appearance on The Masked Singer. Although he has no major upcoming roles announced, his focus has been on enjoying life with his family and reflecting on his career. Fans continue to celebrate his achievements and await any future endeavors he may choose to share.

Edited by Riya Peter
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