Dick Van Dyke, his wife and pets safely evacuate their Malibu home as the Franklin Fire approaches and destroys surrounding properties

MALIBU, Calif. (KABC) — Among the celebrities whose homes were threatened by the Franklin Fire in Malibu Canyon is Dick Van Dyke, who fled safely from the approaching flames with his wife and their pets.

Van Dyke, who turns 99 on Friday, said he and his wife Arlene and their animals are safe except for a cat that remains missing.

“Arlene and I evacuated safely with our animals, except Bobo escaped upon exiting,” Van Dyke posted on Facebook. “We pray that he is well and that our community at Serra Retreat survives these terrible fires.”

Witnesses say a house across the street where Van Dyke lives burned down, but the actor’s house was spared from the flames. Also in the immediate vicinity is the Serra Retreat, a Catholic conference center that was damaged by flames.

The New York Times reports that Cher also fled her home and evacuated safely to a hotel. Barbra Streisand is among other celebrities who also own homes in the area near the flames.

Several other homes in the area suffered minor damage to garages and patios. But community members assisted firefighters in protecting the buildings to prevent further devastation. A volunteer fire brigade was formed following the devastating Woolsey fire in 2018.

“We saved our house,” said resident Alec Gillis. “In Malibu we know there will be fires. We are preparing.”