Los Angeles Fire Death Toll Increases To 10 People

ILLUSTRATION OF UNSPLASH/Malachi Brooks

JAKARTA - A forest fire in Los Angeles, United States, has now reportedly killed 10 people and devoured nearly 10,000 buildings.

The Palisaades fire between Santa Monica andnis on the west side of the city and the Eaton Fire in the east near Pasadena is already among the most destructive in Los Angeles history, spending an area of about 53 square miles.

The death toll from the fire grew to 10, Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said in its latest report on Thursday, January 9 evening local time, without providing identification or other details.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said his party expected the number to increase.

"It looks like an atomic bomb was dropped in this area. I didn't expect good news, and we weren't looking forward to that number," Luna said.

Private weather forecaster AccuWeather estimates that economic damage and losses will reach 135 billion US dollars to 150 billion US dollars, which indicates a difficult recovery and soaring insurance costs for homeowners.

Southern California Edison said it received a notification from the insurance company to store evidence related to the Eaton Fire.

"We are prepared to build the city of Los Angeles aggressively," said Mayor Karen Bass.