Castle Kashan burns to ground – see fire pictures below – as Malibu wildfires engulf 2,000 acres in huge blaze fueled by Santa Ana winds destroys area landmark Hodges Castle.
Here’s the landmark Castle Kashan in better times:
Here’s the firefighters trying to save it:
It’s hard to believe a stone building could burn like this:
Here’s Castle Kashan totally ablaze:
Here’s the latest map of the Malibu wildfires:
You can see that the historic Malibu castle was directly in the path of the main blaze as it roared through toward the ocean. The fire also destroyed the nearby Malibu Presbyterian Church.
Firefighters were able to save some artwork and furnishings from Lilly Lawrence’s 15,500 sq ft mansion, Castle Kashan, which is also known as Hodges Castle after the doctor who originally built it.
Firefighters struggle to save what they can:
Here’s the smoldering ruins of the landmark Malibu castle:
Salvaged artwork safe in courtyard fountain:
The Canyon fire destroyed the Malibu Presbyterian Church as well as the distictive landmark known as Hodges’ Castle which overlooked the Civic Center.
The castle was on the market with an asking price of $17 million and the pending sale was due to close in four days.
And that’s the sad news about Castle Kashan.
Tags: california fires, california wildfires, castle kashan, fire, malibu castle, malibu fire, malibu fire update, poomacha fire, san diego fire, san diego fires, wildfires
October 21st, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Even though I have never been to this beautiful place my heart is breaking.
What a tragedy.
October 21st, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Sad sad…I just visited Hearst Castle and had also wanted to see this one…
October 21st, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Like the other poster, i have never been to this place. It breaks my heart to see this historical landmark destroyed. My heart also goes out to those who are affected by this fire. Be Safe.
October 21st, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Due to terrific action by the local fire departments, many items are salvageable. They will probably rebuild, and the saved items will become even more precious. There is great beauty even in tragedy. Cheer up Princess.
October 21st, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Karma! This woman lives on the wealth pilfered by her father from Iran under the Shah the result being the hell that Iran is today. Check out her website where she refers to herself as the “world’s most beautiful woman”.
I have sympathy for the rest of Malibu but not this narcissistic old fool.
October 21st, 2007 at 11:02 pm
In spite of all the good works performed by the owner, this residence remains an example of what can only be described as “wretched excess”. It’s destruction is no great loss to anyone except the owner.
October 21st, 2007 at 11:10 pm
what a monstrosity. a big improvement to the neighborhood if you ask me
October 22nd, 2007 at 12:12 am
This eye-sore was the property of the daughter of an Iranian Oil Minister. I bet the fortune I don’t have that this dude got his money in less than kosher means. Screw him and his trust-fund baby daughter.
The only problem is, that these Iranians are laughing all the way to the bank. Now, instead of selling it, they will simply collect the insurance.
Now, imagine an American in Iran. No need for a forest fire. The government will burn his castle, and he sure won’t be able to collect insurance.
I really hope they let the insurance lapse.
October 22nd, 2007 at 12:24 am
This castle was Originally Known as “Hodge Castle”, as it was built by (My) family practitioner Dr Tom Hodges in the 1970s. I remember going to the house (Castle) warming party in my early teens. Dr Hodges was a Korean War Army Doctor, who had a family practice clinic in Malibu, up until his retirement in the early 1980s. Being before HMOs, I guess Doctors could still afford castles back then :; The castle has been featured on a few TV shows, including and old episode of Fantasy Island.
October 22nd, 2007 at 12:18 am
the next one will be better than the next, besides, it’s just a materal loss, good thing no one died…
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:49 am
Even sadder than this tragic loss are the comments by those such as Bo, Delores, Michael and Miguel. Very sad indeed!
October 22nd, 2007 at 2:31 am
My home city has been covered in a thick blanket of smoke but one good news arose from all of this :::
Former Oil Minister to the Shah of Iran, Prince Manucher Farmanfarmaian, who in 1978 reputably plundered Iran’s wealth of $250 million; his daughter’s house has burned to the ground. His daughter’s inheritance (stolen money) is now short of $17 Million dollars. Awwww poor girl
Rarely money from unlawful means (dirty money) bears any fruit.
October 22nd, 2007 at 2:35 am
i think its awesome. fuck iran.
October 22nd, 2007 at 4:30 am
Historical? It was only built in the 1970s! It was an ugly building, and hopefully something much more attractive will replace it.
October 22nd, 2007 at 4:32 am
Speaking as an Iranial ex-Minister for Oil myself, I don’t quite know what to say, except that commenter #2 (Trish) desperately needs to drag herself across the Atlantic to where the castles aren’t made of plastic.
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:30 am
There is another Faux castle in the Hollywood hills above Western and Franklin. It was formerly owned by Nicolas Cage. Last time I went by they were shooting porn. The outside was stucco made to look like stone. Once the fire gets on the tar paper roof its all over. I don’t see this as a big loss. It was a joke of a house and the land is still worth millions. The county needs to increase its brush clearance for areas like this so Firefighters don’t have to risk lives for big ugly overbuilt houses in the hills.
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:45 am
I always thought that “castle” was completely out of place in Malibu. I hope they leave that beautiful hilltop in peace.
October 22nd, 2007 at 12:09 pm
It’s awesome huh? Screw you, your house isn’t the one burning down. It’s hell over here.
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:31 pm
heard the news of Hodge castle, and since Hodge is a family name, thought I would check this out. I would have to agree that the loss of the building is no big deal…but my heart does go out to the parishoners of the church, now that is truly a sad loss…..yes the “church” is the people and not the building, but all the same, it is sad. If you are ever in Connecticut, go to Gillette Castle…very small in scale but worth the trip!
October 22nd, 2007 at 5:24 pm
iranian zoroastrians, fire worshippers, set the fire…
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Burning down the house!
I watched this place burn to the ground live on TV & cheered! What an eyesore it was. What kind of Narcissist fool would own such a place. Such a great waste of money! Hopefully the city will level what’s there & make it into a city park for all the residents of Malibu to enjoy!
October 22nd, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I heard people talking about Lilly’s web site. what is her web site. I checked the internet and I could not find anything on her and her Iranian background.
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:29 pm
My house did burn down and I grew up in Malibu so Screw you equally as well. I know the hell of fire in the canyons – the smell – the ashes – the smoke. Water down the roof of your house!!
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Incidentally, those with unsubstantiated grudge towards wealthy owners of this castle appear to have Spanish names, once again confirming my suspicion of the inherent devious nature of their origin.
This is US of A and you Spanish illegals better get used to living with people much wealthier than yourself. Just be happy you are let to live in this great nation and abide by the law of the land.
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:38 pm
I just visited Hearst Castle, also. And I rode by this one. I can’t believe it’s gone..
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:00 pm
I was just up at the Castle last week,such a great loss
I’ am crying many tears,the loss of Elvis Collection is so sad.
I own De Soto Castle in Iowa
Hope they rebuild it
Hester Von Tille Payne
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:40 pm
fuck the money hungry iranians!!! and while im at it fuck the wetbacks too!!! i think its about time to drop the nuke on mexico!! the wetbacks are destroying the white race and we are on the verge of a race war which will take out every wetback that walks this countrys ground!!
FINALLY.
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:14 pm
How do these people with the negative comments think they are any better than this ex-minister of oil and his daughter? I don’t know this lady (and I’m sure neither do any of these people that wrote their comments based on what they have heard or read) but the fact remains that she is still a human (and a very giving one at that) and she just lost her home to fire. I’m certainly no fan of anyone from the middle east that became rich off of oil but I certainly don’t condemn them when a tragedy such as fire hits them and their family. Shame on all of you!
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:59 pm
http://www.malibucastlekashan.com/
“Castle Kashan is the only Castle in Malibu and is the home of Lilly Lawrence, world renowned beauty and Malibu philanthropist. Lilly was dubbed “The People’s Princess” by New York Newsday and the “Rose of Shiraz” by the New York Times. With a heart bigger than her Castle, she carries on her family’s tradition of helping the underprivileged. Her charity work extends towards the Arts and Children.
Malibu’s fairytale Castle that sits high on the hill overlooking the Malibu lagoon, heralds one of California’s most spectacular ocean views, from every Lancet, Barbican, Quadrangle and Yett of the Palace.
Residents at Kashan Court consists of Security personnel, Housekeepers, Groundskeepers and a flow of continuous guests and friends celebrating life in Malibu.
Lilly loves to entertain friends and family on the Terrace overlooking fabulous ocean views.”
*****OH, PLEASE……What a crock of sh*t. *****
It doesn’t sound like any great loss to me. And, by the way, Abe #24, I am an educated, 5th generation American of European descent who REALLY does help people who find themselves in need. Most likely, the poor peoples’ situations are exasperated by the greed of those on top…selling oil…and gas…for over $3/gallon…to people making $5 and hour. I may have to witness this in my finite lifetime, but DO NOT TELL ME TO GET USED TO IT. And, by the way…hell is for eternity.
Have a nice day!
October 13th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
#24 Abe is such a loser!