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Los Angeles wildfires: Influencer chef who cooked for Isha Ambani evacutes as ‘apocalyptic’ fire spreads. See pics

India-origin chef Pratik Bhakta captured the scary sight in Los Angeles caused by the wildfires. He shared the photos on Instagram.

Updated on: Jan 9, 2025, 12:12:27 IST
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Wildfires have ripped across Los Angeles, causing death, evacuations, and power outages. Visuals of the blazes have taken over social media, and an Indian-origin chef has shared photos of scary scenes.

A picture shared by an Indian-origin chef captures a neighbourhood in LA engulfed in smoke from the California wildfires. (Pratik Bhakta)
A picture shared by an Indian-origin chef captures a neighbourhood in LA engulfed in smoke from the California wildfires. (Pratik Bhakta)

“We’re in the midst of a 3-day windstorm, which is making the entire thing worse and providing so much fuel for the multiple fires,” chef Pratik Bhakta told HT.com over Instagram.

On Thursday, he took to Instagram saying he has evacuated from his home.

“I've evacuated and I am safe for now,” he wrote.

“Smokes all around”

One of the pictures he shared shows a neighbourhood covered in smoke from the wildfires. A text insert on the visual reads, “Such a scary sight in LA today with the fires, winds, and constant sirens. Hoping for everyone’s safety. If you’re in the direct path, please have an emergency kit packed with your important documents and essentials.”

Pratik Bhakta's Instagram story on LA wildfires. (Pratik Bhakta)
Pratik Bhakta's Instagram story on LA wildfires. (Pratik Bhakta)

“This feels apocalyptic”

In another photo, he shared a map showing the areas the fires affected.

LA wildfires. (Pratik Bhakta)
LA wildfires. (Pratik Bhakta)

Check out the other photo he shared:

California wildfires. (Pratik Bhakta)
California wildfires. (Pratik Bhakta)

What we know about the wildfires so far:

The fast-moving fires in different parts of Los Angeles have not only destroyed homes and businesses but have reportedly caused the death of 5 people.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has declared a state of emergency, said that over 1,400 firefighting personnel have been deployed to get the situation under control. Off-duty firefighters were also called in to join the battle against the blazes.

The Palisades Fire started around 10:30 am on Tuesday, followed by the Eaton Fire, which started around 6:30 pm the same day. At around 10:30 pm, the Hurst Fire started.

Also Read: 3 friends hug each other before being swept away by floodwaters. Heartbreaking moment captured on camera

Who is Pratik Bhakta?

The influencer chef is well-known for his cooking skills. He founded the brand Hungry Empire. In a video, he gave a glimpse of Isha Ambani’s lavish kitchen at her Los Angeles home while cooking for her. His Instagram is filled with visuals that capture him making different delicious dishes from around the world.

  • Trisha Sengupta
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Trisha Sengupta

    Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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