ABC News reporter Zohreen Shah, known for covering wildfires throughout her career, has opened up about the devastating loss of her recently purchased home to the ongoing Pacific Palisades Fire.
In a heartbreaking Instagram post shared over the weekend, Shah revealed that she and her husband, Rishi Shah, had only spent one night in their dream home before it was destroyed in the wildfires that have ravaged Southern California since January 7, 2025.
“We started moving in last week. Over and over, I told Rishi I couldn’t believe this sanctuary was ours. We spent one night there. Just one,” Zohreen wrote alongside a carousel of images showing the aftermath of the fire.
The couple had spent six years searching for the perfect property, which they finally found in November. They officially closed on the house on Christmas Eve, excited to start a new chapter.
The home, just minutes from Pacific Coast Highway, was described by Zohreen as “magical” with a coastal view that felt like a “tropical island” and surrounded by nature, including deer and birds.
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In her post, Zohreen mourned the loss of their home and the small garden they had started, filled with fruit trees like peaches, nectarines, and avocados.
She expressed how proud she was to have worked hard to afford the down payment on the property, fulfilling a dream she had for years—one that her parents, who never owned a home, could not achieve.
As the Pacific Palisades Fire continues to burn across the area, Zohreen also called out insurance companies for answers regarding her loss.
The fire, which has burned over 23,700 acres, is only 18% contained as of January 14.
Zohreen’s story has resonated with many, highlighting the emotional toll of the wildfires as well as the personal impact on those affected.
