Tom Hanks’ Son Chet Says His Childhood Neighborhood is ‘Burning to the Ground’ amid Palisades Fires

Mar. 15, 2025

Chet Hanks' Instagram Stories.Photo:Jamie McCarthy/WireImage; Chet Hanks/Instagram

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage; Chet Hanks/Instagram

The 34-year-old son ofTom HanksandRita Wilsonshared a devastating update with his Instagram followers regarding his hometown on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

“The neighborhood I grew up in is burning to the ground rn,” Chet wrote in a text post on hisInstagram Stories. “Pray for the Palisades,” he added, along with a prayer hands emoji.

TheSurreal Life: Villa of Secretsstar grew up in Los Angeles and is thefirst-born sonof theForrest Gumpactor andNow and Thenalum. He has a younger brother named Truman, 29, and two half-siblings from his dad’s first marriage to Samantha Lewes.

Chet Hanks, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Truman Hanks in January 2024.Leon Bennett/WireImage

Leon Bennett/WireImage

The fast-growing wildfires started to spread in Pasadena and neighborhoods in Los Angeles, including Pacific Palisades and Sylmar, on Tuesday, Jan. 7. At least 80,000 residents have been given mandatory evacuation orders, according toNBC News.

As of the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 8, the fires are zero percent contained, the outlet reports. The multiple blazes first ignited as a result of dry conditions and high winds in the Los Angeles area.

Two people have died, according to theAssociated Press.

Firefighter battling flames in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Jan. 7, 2025.Eric Thayer/Getty

Eric Thayer/Getty

In aTikTokshared on Wednesday, Jan. 8, Spencer, 41, showed a clip of the flames burning through the property that he shares with his wife, 38, and theirtwo sons, Ryker, 2, and Gunner, 7.

He also shared scenes of the blaze engulfing the surrounding areas in the video, which he captioned, “Nightmare came true.”

Spencer Pratt/TikTok

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As the fires rapidly spread on Tuesday, Jan. 7, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bassdeclared a state of emergencyto “amplify response efforts to the devastating Palisades Fire and ongoing windstorm” and “help clear a path for a rapid recovery.”

source: people.com