The driveway of a coastal mansion in Malibu owned by actor Nicolas Cage collapsed, opening up a giant hole in front of the beachfront home and triggering an emergency response, according to the Associated Press. The collapse caused a natural gas leak just before 6 a.m. local time on Tuesday morning, prompting authorities and utility crews to rush to the private neighborhood situated between the ocean and the Pacific Coast Highway.
Utility Response and Street Closures Following the Malibu Sinkhole
Utility provider SoCalGas brought the gas leak under control several hours after the initial break. As a precaution against ongoing coastal erosion, the utility temporarily shut down natural gas services for a 26-meter section of the street. City officials in Malibu issued a formal statement restricting entry to a total of five homes along the affected roadway.
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Coastal Erosion and High Surf Damage Along the California Coast
The structural failure happened while a Los Angeles-area coastal flooding advisory was in effect due to the lingering impacts of Marie. Marie had previously strengthened into a hurricane before weakening back into a tropical storm. Although the storm did not make landfall, it generated heavy rainfall and churned up dangerous waves along the Southern California coastline over the holiday weekend, ultimately driving the coastal erosion that created the crater.
Property History and Ownership Details
Property records show the luxurious residence was sold in 2024. The prior owner confirmed to The New York Times at the time of the transaction that Nicolas Cage was the buyer. Representatives for Cage did not immediately respond to media requests for comment regarding the incident. Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department discovered the collapsed driveway early Tuesday morning after responding to a suspected gas main break.
Did you know? Nicolas Cage has appeared in more than 100 films throughout his acclaimed career, earning an Academy Award for his role in Leaving Las Vegas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was anyone injured in the Malibu driveway collapse?
According to local reporting from KTLA, no injuries have been reported, and it appeared no one was inside the home at the time of the incident.
What caused the sinkhole at the Malibu property?
According to the Associated Press and the Daily Mail, the sinkhole resulted from severe coastal erosion driven by dangerous waves and high surf battering the Southern California coastline.
Has Nicolas Cage commented on the damage?
According to the Daily Mail, representatives for Cage did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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