Three-time Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr evacuated his home in Palisades before it was lost in the fire.

The American won five gold, three silver and two bronze medals during his career but had to leave them all behind as he fled his home.

“I saw the flames erupt and houses start popping. There were explosions. I didn’t have a lot of time,” Hall Jr told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Sunset Boulevard was a complete logjam. People abandoned cars and were running for their lives. Police were telling them to do that. My girlfriend was trapped in her car around smoke.

“I did think about the medals. I did not have time to get them.

“Did the medals burn? Yeah, everything burned. It’s something I can live without. I guess everything is just stuff. It’ll take some hard work to start over.”

Ali Riley, a striker for NWSL side Angel City, confirmed on her Instagram account that her house was lose in the fires.

“Our beautiful Malibu home burned down yesterday,” wrote Canibano.

“We are still in shock with everything that’s happening.”

Source: BBC SPORT