Zooey and Emily Deschanel’s childhood home was destroyed in the Palisades fire, a place they described as «a sanctuary where we felt most safe.»
Zooey Deschanel shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram on Friday, Jan. 17, revealing that her childhood home in Pacific Palisades, California, was destroyed by the ongoing wildfires.
Zooey and her sister Emily are among the many residents affected by the devastating fires in Los Angeles.
In her post, Zooey described the home as a «sanctuary where we felt most safe,» reflecting on its significance in her life.
The 1920s Spanish Revival house, one of the oldest in the area, was filled with cherished memories, from family celebrations to quiet moments of peace.
Zooey described it as «cozy and lovely,» and mentioned how the 14-foot ceilings with stained glass windows in the living room created beautiful, colorful shadows—leading a childhood friend to call it «The Church.»
She recalled various milestones celebrated in the home, including Christmas dinners, Easter egg hunts, and birthdays.
She shared how family photos, artwork, and heirlooms, such as a piano she learned to play on and furniture built by her great-great-grandfather, were all lost in the fire. «The reminders of generations past: All have vanished into thin air,» she wrote.
Zooey acknowledged that her home is one of 12,300 structures destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton Fires, noting the significant loss experienced by her community.
She expressed gratitude to the firefighters working tirelessly to keep people safe and to the friends and strangers who have shown support. «Your kindness is the salve that has made this bearable,» she wrote.
Despite it being her birthday, Zooey shared that celebrating felt «kind of weird» given the circumstances.
She encouraged others to reach out to those who have lost their homes and suggested supporting organizations like the LA Firefighters Relief Association or Baby2Baby.
Zooey also posted photos of her home before and after the fire, along with snapshots of her and Emily with their parents and family moments in the kitchen.
The Palisades Fire, which started on Jan. 7, has burned over 23,700 acres, while the Eaton Fire has burned more than 14,000 acres, both causing widespread destruction across the region.
