Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr revealed that the wildfires raging through the Los Angeles area destroyed his childhood home and high school.
The Palisades Fire continues to wreak havoc in Los Angeles County. The house where he grew up and where his mother, Ann Kerr, still lives, is one of countless structures destroyed so far.
Speaking to the media earlier this week, Kerr revealed how difficult it was to watch the disaster rip through his hometown.
“It was tough,” Kerr shared. ‘My family is doing well. My mother is in good hands, but her house is gone. So I spent a lot of time on the phone with my brothers and sisters.’
“You know, family calls my mom,” he continued. ‘But she has a lot of support and friends, so she is safe and sound. But you know, that’s my hometown. All my friends who are from there have almost all lost their homes.”
Kerr attended Palisades Charter High School and said the fires engulfed the school. However, he is happy that his family, friends and most of the community are safe.
Steve Kerr revealed his childhood home and high school in LA burned down
The Palisades Fire continues to devastate LA County, forcing residents to evacuate
‘Family homes, children’s homes, our entire secondary school is gone. Our city looks like it has been completely wiped out. Surreal and devastating. But luckily almost everyone escaped.
The Chicago Bulls legend also talked about how the LA disaster reminded him of the Lahaina fires that claimed 102 lives in 2023. CNN reported at least 10 deaths as the toll in Southern California remains unclear.
“The photos remind me of Lahaina from a few years ago,” Kerr said. “I’m so glad no lives were lost like the people in Hawaii suffered.”
“But it’s hard to fathom how Pacific Palisades will rebuild and become a thriving community again. It’s just shocking.’
“A lifetime of memories and occasions,” Kerr added. “Birthday parties and everything else. To see the destruction, the devastation, it’s unfathomable.’
Following Golden State’s win over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, Kerr added that the scenes in LA amid the tragedy are apocalyptic.
“It’s an idyllic place,” Kerr said. ‘It’s a beautiful city, sunsets every evening. Just great memories. My dad taught at UCLA, so I’ve made that drive from Pacific Palisades along Sunset Boulevard to the UCLA campus a million times.
‘So many wonderful memories. Then to see the images of Sunset Boulevard and the Palisades – just shocking. Looks apocalyptic. Devastating.’
Kerr’s father, Malcolm H. Kerr, also served as president of the Middle East Studies Association in 1972. He was tragically shot and killed by two gunmen outside his office during the Lebanese Civil War in 1984, while Steve was playing collegiate basketball at the University of Arizona.