A massive sinkhole opened up in front of a luxurious coastal residence in Malibu, believed to be owned by actor Nicolas Cage, causing the driveway to collapse. The incident led to a gas leak early Tuesday morning, which prompted swift responses from authorities and utility services. SoCalGas managed to control the leak after a few hours but decided to temporarily halt natural gas services for a part of the street due to concerns about coastal erosion.
The sinkhole, measuring approximately 7.5 to nine meters in depth and 18 meters wide, extended into the roadway. Local authorities declared a state of emergency and issued evacuation orders for 31 properties in the vicinity. Despite inquiries, representatives for Cage did not provide immediate comments. Property records indicate that the estate was sold in 2024, with the previous owner confirming Cage as the buyer.
The mansion suffered damage during a coastal flooding advisory in the Los Angeles area, attributed to the residual effects of Hurricane Marie reverting to a tropical storm. Although the storm did not directly hit land, it brought heavy rainfall and generated hazardous waves along the Southern California coast during the recent holiday period.
In response to the situation, the City of Malibu released a statement on Wednesday, highlighting the broader regional coastal challenges. The city is actively monitoring coastal erosion not only at the property location but also along the Pacific Coast Highway in the Palisades Fire burn area and Point Dume State Beach, as well as other vulnerable coastal points.
The exclusive neighborhood where the mansion is situated lies between the ocean and the renowned Pacific Coast Highway. Cage, aged 62, recently starred in the Amazon series “Spider-Noir” and is set to portray John Madden in an upcoming biopic about the NFL figure later this year. With a prolific career spanning over 100 films, Cage earned an Oscar for his role in “Leaving Las Vegas.”