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LA millionaire’s ‘tone-deaf’ offer to private firefighters to protect luxury mansion from Palisades fire goes viral: ‘Will pay any amount’

Keith Wasserman is the co-founder of real estate investment firm Gelt Venture Partners.

According to a Reuters report, more than 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate (Image source: @bluebear731/X)

“Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades? Need to act fast here. All neighbours houses are burning. Will pay any amount. Thank you,” read the now-deleted post by Keith Wasserman, a Los Angeles millionaire CEO.

He provoked widespread outrage with a “tone-deaf” post requesting assistance from “private firefighters” to protect his luxury Pacific Palisades mansion while emergency services raced to assist residents in the vicinity. Wasserman is the co-founder of real estate investment firm Gelt Venture Partners.

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@Keith_Wasserman deleted his tweet because people uncovered his predatory loan service and alleged tax scams 😔 pic.twitter.com/lI5TaS9Qyn

— Not Jenelle Evans (@HaveAHeartx3) January 8, 2025

Soon after the post gained traction, social media users slammed Wasserman with one commenting, “The disconnect is jaw dropping. Just wow.” Another user wrote, “Private firefighters just sitting around watching paint dry, waiting for the call?”

“Wow. He’s funny. Yes, there are thousands of private professional firefighters just waiting for your call, and I’m sure they’d be much better able to stop the fire WITHOUT WATER,” a third user commented.

According to a Reuters report, more than 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate as powerful, dry winds, resembling hurricane-force, hampered firefighting efforts and intensified the spread of the fires, which have consumed thousands of acres in Los Angeles since Tuesday.

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A home reportedly owned by Hollywood actors Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, along with another property belonging to actor Billy Crystal, were among the over 1,000 buildings destroyed by the wildfires, Reuters reported.

Actor James Woods, known for his role in Casino, teared up live on CNN as he recounted losing his Pacific Palisades home. “One day, you’re swimming in the pool, and the next, it’s all gone,” he said, fighting back tears. He also shared how his wife’s eight-year-old niece offered her piggy bank to help rebuild their house.