The California man who won the world’s biggest ever lottery prize of $2.04 billion (Rs 16,590 crore) in February last year had spent $25.5 million on a luxury mansion on Hollywood Hills. But unfortunately Edwin Castro’s multimillion-dollar Malibu getaway has been destroyed in the horrific Palisades Fire, reducing the once-luxurious digs to a pile of ash, according to The New York Post.

After the deadly fire tore through the area, all that remained of Castro’s $3.8 million home was concrete pillars and smouldering wood, photos obtained by The Post show. The destroyed Malibu abode was one of several Castro purchased after he won the historic $2.04 billion prize back in November 2022.

Footage obtained by The US Sun showed waves lapping up against the beach where the yacht remains.All that can be seen is what looks like the foundations and what appears to be planks of wood. In the spot where Castro’s garage once held cars from his impressive collection. The coastal resort looks as if it has been turned into an apocalyptic, barren wasteland.

The property that Edwin Castro once owned featured five bedrooms and six bathrooms and was perched above the iconic Chateau Marmont hotel, according to reports. Mr Castro had been announced as the winner of a record-breaking Powerball jackpot by California Lottery officials at a press conference last year, where it was revealed he had chosen a lump sum payout of $997.6 million.

At its peak, the luxurious property placed Mr Castro among prominent celebrity neighbors, including singer Ariana Grande, actor Dakota Johnson, and comedian Jimmy Kimmel. However, the property was tragically destroyed in a fire, leaving only memories of its former grandeur.

A Los Angeles millionaire CEO has sparked outrage for a ‘tone-deaf’ post asking for assistance from ‘private firefighters’ to protect his Pacific Palisades mansion while emergency services worked to help residents as the area was engulfed by flames. Keith Wasserman, co-founder of real estate investment firm Gelt Venture Partners, took to X, pleading for help as a massive wildfire ravaged the hillside.

He wrote on X, “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.”

The post, which garnered over a million views before being deleted, was met with immediate and strong backlash.

The disconnect is jaw dropping.

Just wow. pic.twitter.com/krubaIuACO

— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) January 8, 2025

Commenting on the post, a user wrote, “Incredible Nerve. His family is evacuated and he’s trying to hire private firefighters to risk their lives to save a home he most certainly has insured. Incredibly tone deaf.”

Another user commented, “If you find yourself tweeting for private firefighters to protect your property, you should probably question what you have become as a human being.”

The third user wrote, “So you’re suggesting that potentially lifesaving resources (even if ‘private’) should be diverted to save your house because you’re rich while tens of thousands of people try to evacuate?”

A crescent of flame squeezed Los Angeles in a huge pincer visible from space. More than 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate as dry, hurricane-force winds hindered firefighting operations and spread the flames. At least five people have been killed since the fires erupted on Tuesday.

The homes of movie stars and celebrities were among those consumed by flames, which tore through some of the world’s most lavish real estate and above showbiz landmarks instantly recognisable around the world, Reuters reported. 

“This firestorm is the big one,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told a press conference after rushing back to the city, cutting short an official trip to Ghana.