A massive sinkhole opened up in front of a luxurious coastal mansion in Malibu, believed to be owned by actor Nicolas Cage, causing the driveway to collapse. The incident led to a gas leak around 6 a.m. local time, triggering a swift response from authorities and utility services. SoCalGas managed to control the leak after a few hours but decided to temporarily halt natural gas services in a section of the street as a precaution against coastal erosion.
The sinkhole, measuring approximately 7.5 to 9 meters deep and 18 meters wide, extends into the roadway, prompting officials to declare a local emergency. Subsequently, an evacuation order was issued for 31 properties in the vicinity. Despite requests for comment, representatives for Cage remained silent. Property records indicate that the mansion was sold in 2024, with the previous owner confirming Cage as the buyer at the time.
The mansion suffered damage during a coastal flooding advisory in the Los Angeles area due to the residual effects of Hurricane Marie, which had transitioned into a tropical storm. Although the storm did not directly hit land, it brought heavy rain and hazardous waves along the Southern California coast during the holiday weekend.
The City of Malibu released a statement on Wednesday acknowledging the broader regional coastal challenges. They are closely monitoring coastal erosion in various areas, including the Pacific Coast Highway and other vulnerable coastal points. The private neighborhood where the mansion is located lies between the ocean and the renowned Pacific Coast Highway.
Nicolas Cage, aged 62, recently appeared in the Amazon series “Spider-Noir” and is set to portray John Madden in an upcoming biographical film about the NFL figure. With a career spanning over 100 films, Cage earned an Oscar for his role in “Leaving Las Vegas.”