There are moments in life that seem almost impossible to comprehend. One such moment is when a home stands untouched amidst the ruins caused by a raging fire, capturing the attention and amazement of many.
Los Angeles has been battling wildfires that sweep through everything in their path, leaving neighborhoods in ashes. In the midst of this havoc, a Malibu mansion owned by David Steiner remains unharmed, drawing both wonder and attention from onlookers.
David Steiner, a retired waste management executive from Texas, shares this remarkable story. He is married with three children and has a house now being dubbed the ‘miracle house’. While most see it as a stroke of luck, Steiner credits his careful planning and construction for its survival.
When Steiner’s home was built, it was designed to endure the challenges posed by nature. It features earthquake-resistant attributes with pilings embedded 50 feet into bedrock to handle the sea’s relentless force. Its protective stucco, stone walls, and a fireproof roof complete the robust construction designed to withstand natural disasters.
Steiner expressed his disbelief, “Honestly, I never imagined that a wildfire would cross the Pacific Coast Highway and ignite a fire. I always thought that in an earthquake scenario, our house would remain one of the last to fall. Never imagined it would be the same with fire. The architecture is impressive, sure, but the stucco and the fireproof roof are the true heroes.”
Witnessing his house remain intact amidst destruction was a shock even to Steiner. Reflecting on this surreal experience, he stated, “It’s a miracle – miracles indeed never cease.”
Like many affected by the fires, Steiner was anxious about the fate of his home. A local contractor sent him a video showing the house standing unharmed, even as flames approached its edges, leaving Steiner astounded.
Steiner recounted, “The contractor was watching news reports, saw my neighbor’s house engulfed, and thought ours was gone too. It looked like no home could withstand that blaze, and I assumed ours was lost.”
Subsequently, Steiner’s phone was inundated with messages. “I started receiving calls saying, ‘Your house is on the news.’ Seeing those images made me realize we’d survived,” he recounted.
While he felt sad at the thought of losing his house, he took comfort in knowing it was replaceable, unlike human life. Besides, the Malibu mansion was not his primary family home.
In his own words, Steiner remarked, “Don’t pray for me – what I’ve lost is just material. True, it is a property, yet others lost their homes and treasures. My family’s significant memories weren’t there.” With a heart full of empathy, he added, “My heartfelt condolences to those who lost it all.”
In a moment amidst the chaos, Steiner shared an uplifting message sent by his wife, “Last house standing,” that brought a smile to his face during such a troubling time.
