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Malibu Castle Destroyed in California Fires

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GG Staff | 10/28/2007 - 09:00 | Add new comment

Home of Lily Lawrence consumed by fire

Out-of-control wildfires claimed Castle Kashan, a re-creation of a 13th century Scottish castle, early Monday morning, devouring the stately fortress and most of its contents.

Lily Lawrence, socialite, philanthropist and daughter of a former Iranian oil minister, escaped from the fire unharmed.

The 67-year-old socialite and philanthropist apparently didn't know the house was on fire until a friend from New York called to tell her. Jeannie King, who lives in Queens, was watching the news when she noticed how close the fire had crept to the castle.

"I call Lilly on her cell phone and she answered, and I said, 'What ... are you doing?' I said, 'Get the hell out of there right now!' She was still in the bedroom. I could not believe it," said King in an interview with CNN.

She was able to gather a few belongings before fleeing, including some jewelry and Elvis Presley's army fatigues. "We were in the house and the fire was burning all around us," Lawrence said in an interview with Reuters. "The loss is way up in the double-digit millions."

The mansion appeared in 'Fantasy Island' and 'The Rockford Files,' and had been a landmark of Malibu since the early 1970s. Lawrence's priceless Elvis Presley collection - minus the fatigues - is also gone.

The socialite is taking it well though because, in her words, "My parents taught me not to allow my possessions to posses me."

I wonder if she was thinking about her family or her friends when she grabbed Presley's fatigues?

Honestly, I'd really like to know if she was thinking at all.

Maybe when she returns to the ruins of her home, she'll find a more level perspective.

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