Source : Perth Now news
An Australian man living in California has been killed as a wildfire tore through Malibu.
Rory Callum Sykes, 32, was confirmed to have died in a statement by his mother Shelly Sykes on social media.
Ms Sykes said her son, who was born blind and with cerebral palsy has “overcome so much” in his life before it was cut short on January 8.
“He overcame so much with surgeries and therapies to regain his sight and to be able to learn how to walk,” she said.
Dr Sykes said her son died when the Malibu fire tore through their estate on Mount Malibu, blaming the local Las Virgenes Municipal Water company.
“I couldn’t put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off,” she said.
“He will be incredibly missed.”
According to his website, Mr Sykes hosted British RTV Show Kiddy Kapers and later performed Singing in the Rain at the Sydney Opera House during a short-lived career as a child actor and model.
He co-founded the Happy Charity alongside his mother in 2005, fundraising for sick children globally.
At least 11 people have been killed since a series of wildfires began around the city of Los Angeles on Thursday, with more than 10,000 structures razed.
More than 180,000 people have been forced to evacuate as authorities estimate the damage bill already exceeds $100B USD.
More to come.
