Landslide destroys Sherman Oaks home, prompts evacuations

LOS ANGELES - One home was destroyed and several others damaged due to a landslide in Sherman Oaks that prompted some to evacuate Wednesday.

According to officials, firefighters responded to reports of a large tree and wires down in the backyard of a home on Ventura Canyon, just south of Ventura Boulevard, around 2:51 a.m.

At the scene, authorities discovered a large portion of a hillside had slid down toward several homes. 

The single home that collapsed has been red-tagged by the Department of Building and Safety, which is assessing the structures and hillsides. That home was reportedly under construction and no one was inside. 

"It’s very scary," said one neighbor named Jan. "Thank goodness no one was hurt.  I’m really thankful for that."

The property owner of the two damaged homes allowed FOX 11 to get a closer look at the destruction. He didn’t want to speak on camera, but said he’s thankful no one was hurt. The landslide destroyed their backyard, pool, and guesthouse, along with a second home they had below.

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"[These landslides] could go until the summer, they say," said neighbor Kevin Delainey "[We’re] vulnerable right now with all the saturation."

"When we have all that saturation, it’s like a sponge," said LAFD Captain Adam VanGerpen. "It doesn’t have to be raining for that soil to continue to be saturated. Really, if you’re living on a hillside community, canyon roads, there’s always a cause for concern."

Firefighters believe the area from Wednesday’s landslide is safe for now, however a windstorm is expected later this week.

A landslide in Sherman Oaks overnight destroyed at least one home and damaged several others in the area, officials said. / Los Angeles Fire Department

"We have another wind event coming up where we have red flag conditions," said VanGerpen. "With this saturated soil, there’s also the possibility of trees coming down."

No injuries have been reported so far. 

Several agencies including LADWP, the Dept. of Building and Safety, and the LAFD remain on scene as the investigation continues.