How a $9 million Malibu mansion became the 'Last House Standing' in the Los Angeles wildfire

In a remarkable tale of resilience amidst tragedy, David Steiner, a retired waste-management executive from Texas, has shared the extraordinary story of how his nearly $9 million Malibu mansion emerged unscathed from the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires. Dubbed the "last house standing," his home stood tall amid the devastating blaze that claimed over 10,000 structures, showcasing not only the power of construction but also the strength of the human spirit.

As the Palisades fire wreaked havoc, Steiner faced the reality of losing his property. When a contractor relayed the news that the flames had engulfed both his home and the neighbouring buildings, despair washed over him. “I thought nothing could have possibly survived that,” he told the New York Post. However, when the smoke cleared, he saw that his three-story residence remained intact while others lay in ruins.

Friends and family soon reached out with news that his home was making headlines. “Your house is all over the news,” they said, prompting him to realise the magnitude of the miracle. “I started getting pictures and realised we had made it through,” he recounted with relief. A particularly touching moment arose when his wife sent him a message calling their home the “last house standing,” bringing a smile to his face during such a difficult time.

Steiner attributes the remarkable survival of his property to its solid construction, designed to withstand earthquakes and, as it turns out, wildfires. “It’s stucco and stone with a fireproof roof,” he explained, noting that the building's foundations go deep into the bedrock. Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of disasters, he admitted, “I never in a million years thought a wildfire would jump to the Pacific Coast Highway.”

Having purchased the 4,200-square-foot, four-bedroom mansion from a producer, Steiner emphasised that the house was not his family's primary residence. Instead of accepting “prayers” for himself, he chose to extend his sympathies to those who had lost their homes, stating, “My heart goes out to those who lost their homes.”