A Malibu mansion is still standing after wildfires tore down neighbouring homes. Here's why it likely survived

On the fire-ravaged coastline of Malibu, a three-story house still stands. The structure is easily spotted, its bright white walls a stark contrast to the charred and twisted remains of its neighbors. Homeowner David Steiner suggests that some robust building measures may be the reason for its survival.

Social media users have hailed his home as a blueprint for Los Angeles residents looking to rebuild. Steiner, in an interview with the New York Post, expressed surprise that his house was still standing after the fire. He mentioned that a local contractor had sent him videos of the flames and smoke engulfing his property.

The nearly $9 million (AU$14.64 million) mansion is constructed from stone and stucco plaster and features a fire-resistant roof, characteristics Steiner believes saved his home. "Honestly, I never thought a wildfire would make it to the Pacific Coast Highway and start a fire," he said. "I thought, 'If we have an earthquake, this is going to be the last thing standing.' The style of building is nice. But the stucco and the fireproof roof are really great."

The fire-retardant properties of materials like stone and stucco have not gone unnoticed by insurance companies. US insurer Chubb recommends using these materials in home construction, as they minimize the spread of fire across exterior walls and roofs. Photos of the house posted on social media platform X drew dozens of comments, with users suggesting that more houses should be built using similar materials. "Wow. Amazing," one user wrote. "Why aren't more houses built like this? Is it a cost issue?" Another user said, "I think if they are allowed to rebuild, this building material should be mandatory. Otherwise, (I don't want to sound callous) but if these houses are not fully insured, we taxpayers will have to bear the cost of these burned-out homes."

Unfortunately, building homes out of stone is not a simple solution to the recent widespread housing losses. Wildfires are not the only natural disaster that Southern California frequently faces, as the region is also prone to earthquakes. Not all building materials withstand ground movement in the same way, and brittle materials like stone tend to perform worse. This is where the advantage of wood lies. According to California-based building company Pacific Green Homes, wood’s flexibility makes it “one of the most earthquake-resistant materials.” "It’s a ductile material, which means when subjected to seismic shock waves, it will bend and flex, rather than collapse."

Earthquakes are not the only reason Los Angeles relies on wood for construction projects. For most people, the associated costs make stone prohibitive. Not only are the materials more expensive, but under Los Angeles law, stone also needs to be reinforced with steel beams to enhance the walls’ durability. This means more material costs and labor. In the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, another house stood among the ruins. Its architect, Greg Chasen, said that despite some smoke damage, the house was still "completely habitable," partly due to some design choices.

One commenter wrote, “You have a sterile perimeter: no vegetation, except for planters. You likely have a fire-resistant roof and siding. You have a brick retaining wall. Those are all good fire mitigation measures. There’s no luck involved here.” Chasen responded that the house has no vents or eaves for embers to enter and ignite the interior, and it has tempered glass windows, which may add another layer of protection. He also pointed out that its deck is made of ipe, an expensive hardwood known to be less flammable than other woods. “But unfortunately, the neighbor drove his car into the driveway. The solid concrete perimeter wall probably saved us there,” he said.

Chasen said that part of the house's survival was also due to luck, as the clear perimeter, which reduced the fire’s ability to approach the house, was not of his design. “The adjacent lot was torn down and cleared three weeks ago,” he said.