In short
- A sinkhole estimated at 30ft by 30ft (9.1m by 9.1m) opened in the driveway of a home in Malibu, California, reportedly belonging to the actor Nicolas Cage.
- Residents said they were told an 8ft sinkhole had begun forming on Monday before further ground gave way in the early hours of Tuesday.
- Emergency services responded in the early hours of Tuesday after the structural failure caused a gas leak, and SoCalGas later confirmed the leak had been secured.
- Malibu City officials declared at least five homes on the street unsafe for entry and warned that emergency access was severely constrained.
- Cage, who bought the home in 2024 according to a New York Times report, won an Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas.
A 30ft by 30ft (9.1m by 9.1m) sinkhole opened in the driveway of a home in Malibu, California, reportedly belonging to the actor Nicolas Cage, after the ground gave way in the early hours of Tuesday. Heavy rain had hit southern California in the days beforehand, and no injuries have been reported.
What happened at the Malibu home?
Residents nearby said they were told an 8ft sinkhole had begun forming on Monday. “At that point, the homeowners were not overly concerned,” one resident told Los Angeles magazine. “We thought it could be fixed pretty quickly.” The same resident said that after that, “all hell broke loose” when further ground gave way in the early hours of Tuesday, leaving a crater that swallowed much of the driveway and left broken asphalt, concrete and construction debris in the hole.
Was anyone injured or told to leave?
Local media reported no injuries, and BBC News said it had asked representatives for Cage for comment. Malibu City officials declared at least five homes on the street unsafe for entry and warned that emergency access was “severely constrained” and that the area “may be impassable due to the large portion of the road that has collapsed”.
What caused the gas leak?
Emergency services responded in the early hours of Tuesday after the structural failure caused a gas leak. SoCalGas later confirmed the leak had been secured. Traffic cones have been placed around the crater, and AFP reported that waves could be seen “lapping in the hole and rushing out again under the stanchions that support the home”.
What caused the collapse?
The damage occurred after a Los Angeles coastal flooding warning was issued linked to Tropical Storm Marie, which had previously been a hurricane. The storm remained offshore but was said to have brought rain and high waves to Southern California.
Who is Nicolas Cage and when did he buy the house?
Cage won an Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas and is known for films including Gone in 60 Seconds, Face/Off, Con Air, Pig, Moonstruck and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. He bought the Malibu home in 2024, according to a report in the New York Times.
What else is happening in entertainment?
Elsewhere in entertainment, Harry Styles has added 25 dates to his 2027 tour with Kylie Minogue. In UK television, Drag Race UK is leaving the BBC after eight series for Wow Presents Plus.
Frequently asked questions
Where did the sinkhole open?
A sinkhole estimated at 30ft by 30ft (9.1m by 9.1m) opened in the driveway of a home in Malibu, California, reportedly belonging to the actor Nicolas Cage, after the ground gave way in the early hours of Tuesday.
Was anyone hurt?
Local media reported no injuries, and BBC News said it had asked representatives for Nicolas Cage for comment.
What caused the collapse?
Heavy rain and high waves linked to Tropical Storm Marie, previously a hurricane, reached Southern California in the days before the collapse, and a Los Angeles coastal flooding warning had been issued.
How many homes were affected?
Malibu City officials declared at least five homes on the street unsafe for entry and warned that emergency access was severely constrained and the road may be impassable.
With reporting from BBC News.
Stock image, not from the events described. 2016 Fukuoka Sinkhole Memorial — SuFlyer / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)