Zooey and Emily Deschanel’s Childhood Home Burns Down in Palisades Fire: 'A Sanctuary Where We Felt Most Safe'

Zooey and Emily Deschanel are among hundreds of residents affected by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.

In an Instagram post on Friday, January 17, Zooey revealed that her and Emily’s childhood home in Pacific Palisades, California burned down in the devastating Palisades Fire.

The New girl star, who turned 45 on Friday, January 17, wrote a heartfelt tribute to the “wonder” of her home, which was a 1920s Spanish Revival and “one of the oldest homes in the Palisades.” The actress described the “spectacularly beautiful” home as “full of too many amazing memories to count.”

“It wasn’t a mansion, but it was comfortable, lovely, unique and perfect for me. A friend of mine growing up called it ‘The Church’ because the 14 foot stained glass ceilings in the living room cast colorful shadows at the end of the day. And for me it was a holy place, a refuge where we felt the safest”, she wrote. She also recalled Christmas dinners in their family, Easter egg hunts, trick-or-treating, weddings, birthdays and baby showers at home. “We celebrated the best moments of our lives there.”

“Family photos that lined the hallways, artwork, the piano I learned to play on, wedding china, furniture made by my great-great-grandfather… reminders of past generations: all gone,” she wrote.

Zooey Deschanel and Emily Deschanel’s childhood home.

Zooey Deschanel/Instagram

Zooey and Emily Deschanel: All about the sisters and their family

The actress went on to admit that their home was one of the 12,300 structures that were destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires. “Along with another beautiful LA neighborhood, Altadena, the streets of my childhood in Pacific Palisades were all but erased as we knew them. So many people lost so much.”

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The 500 days of summer the actress thanked those who supported the communities and LA: “To the firefighters who worked around the clock to keep everyone safe: You are our true heroes.”

Zooey Deschanel and Emily Deschanel's childhood home, Instagram

Zooey Deschanel and Emily Deschanel’s childhood home.

Zooey Deschanel/Instagram

She also thanked her friends who supported their family. “You sent clothes to my parents who left with nothing, you told us off with humor and cried with us when we needed to.” She continued, “Your kindness is the medicine that has made this bearable.”

Zooey expressed her gratitude to “strangers who lifted our spirits with kind gestures: you are the true meaning of community.” Adding: “Thank you all for showing us the kindness in your hearts. You have no idea how much this means to us.”

Zooey Deschanel and Emily Deschanel's childhood home, Instagram

Caleb Deschanel, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Jo Deschanel and Emily Deschanel in their childhood home.

Zooey Deschanel/Instagram

The actress continued to pay tribute in her comments section, noting that even though it’s her birthday, she feels “kind of weird celebrating.” She suggested that those reading could text or call someone who has lost a home, and she would be “honored” if people supported the LA Firefighters Relief Association or Baby2Baby.

In addition to sharing a personal history of her home, Zooey posted photos of the home before and after it was destroyed. She included a photo of her and her sister Emily with their parents, Caleb and Mary Jo Deschanel.

Celebrities who lost their homes in the Los Angeles fires and what they said

Zooey added a photo of her and Emily eating together in the family kitchen and concluded the carousel with a photo of her daughter Elsie with Emily.

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Reps for Zooey and Emily Deschanel did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Friday.

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Zooey Deschanel and Emily Deschanel's childhood home, Instagram

Zooey Deschanel and Emily Deschanel in their childhood home.

Zooey Deschanel/Instagram

The devastating Palisades Fire first broke out in LA’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Tuesday, January 7, and has since burned more than 23,700 acres with 31% containment, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

On the other side of LA County, the Eaton Fire also broke out on Tuesday, January 7th and has already burned more than 14,000 acres and is now 65% contained. Additional fires have also broken out in the Southern California region, posing a challenge for rescuers.

Click here to learn more about how to help victims of the Los Angeles wildfires.

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