Keith Wasserman, a real estate magnate and co-founder of Gelt Venture Partners, faced significant backlash earlier this week after asking on social media for private firefighter protection to save his $3 million home from the devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles. Despite offering “any amount” for help, his home was tragically destroyed in the Palisades Fire, an event that has devastated large parts of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
Official reports from Los Angeles County’s recovery website confirm that Wasserman’s home, along with every other house on his block, was destroyed in the fire. A photograph on the website shows the remains of the property, now reduced to a pile of charred rubble. The Palisades Fire has already claimed the lives of at least two dozen people and engulfed thousands of homes, making it one of the deadliest fires in the region’s recent history.
Earlier, Wasserman had come under fire for his public plea for private firefighters. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades? Need to act fast here. All neighbours houses burning. Will pay any amount. Thank you.” This message quickly sparked criticism, with many users accusing him of being tone-deaf and displaying an insensitive attitude amidst a deadly crisis. Some even labeled his plea as a display of greed.
Despite the criticism, Wasserman responded to the backlash with a mix of humor and deflection, posting messages like “Mama I’m going viral,” and “So, here are all the trolls! Hello trolls!” He later clarified that he had already evacuated the property, but the incident was enough to draw further ire.
Wasserman’s property, a two-story home, was valued at around $3 million in 2023, well below the median home value for the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, which is approximately $5 million. However, by the time the fire reached his area, the median home value had dipped slightly to just over $3 million, in part due to the ongoing crisis.
While Wasserman’s home was not the only one lost in the blaze, the Los Angeles County Recovers map shows that some homes in the area miraculously survived the flames. The fire, which burned over 23,000 acres, continues to pose a significant threat to the region, with the death toll from the wildfires still rising. As emergency response teams continue to fight the flames, many residents, including Wasserman, are left grappling with the aftermath of the devastating destruction.
Sources By Agencies
