Flames from the Palisades fire consumed his family's Malibu vacation home, killing a blind Australian former child actor and leaving his mother claiming she had run out of water.
Rory Callum Sykes, 32, who lives with cerebral palsy and appeared on several episodes of the British TV show Kiddie Capers, hosted by her mother, author Shelley Sykes, died on January 8th at the age of 17. He died on the Acre property.
“It is with great sadness that I have to report the loss of my beautiful son in the Malibu wildfires yesterday,” said heartbroken mother Sherry Sykes. I wrote it to X.
“He has overcome so much with surgeries and treatments, regained his sight and is now learning to walk. Despite the pain, he is still willing to travel the world with me from Africa to Antarctica. He was enthusiastic,” she added.
Sykes was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and was born blind.
According to reports, the cottage caught fire when embers from the deadly fire fell on the roof, trapping Rory inside. 10 News First.
Heartbroken, Sherry said she tried to carry her son out of the burning building but was stopped due to his injuries.
“He said, 'Mom, leave me,' but no mother can leave her child,” she said. said An outlet that fights through tears.
“I couldn't lift him or move him because I broke his arm,” he added.
The mother said she tried unsuccessfully to spray water on the burning roof with a hose, and claimed that the Las Vergenes City Water Department had turned off the water.
“50 brave firefighters” were also battling the inferno raging in areas without water, Sykes added.
Unable to call for help because 911 was out of service, Sykes said he drove about a quarter-mile down a smoke-filled road to find first responders.
Stay up to date with NYP's coverage of horrific fires in the Los Angeles area
When Sherry and firefighters returned to the property, the self-catering cottage was completely destroyed.
Rory's death is not included in the 11 fire-related deaths announced by the Los Angeles Coroner's Office because her body has not yet been recovered, the newspaper reported.
Five people died in the Palisades fire and six more lost their lives in the Eaton fire.
Firefighters told Sykes that her son died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
“I didn't want the baby to suffer,” Sykes cried.
Sykes is a former child actor who began hosting the British RTV show Kiddie Capers in 1998. According to NewsAU.
The Malibu mansion was featured on Shelly Sykes' reality show “Get Syked with Style.” He later described himself as a “gamer and philanthropist.” read his website.
