Jennifer Garner lost a friend to the lights of Los Angeles.
The 52-year-old actress revealed the devastating news on Friday during an interview on MSNBC.
Appearing alongside World Central Kitchen chef José Andrés, Garner told presenter Katy Tur about the death of her friend she knew from church.
“I lost a friend, and for our church, it’s really tender so I don’t think we should talk about it right now,” the star told Tur, choking up. “I lost a friend. She didn’t get out in time.
The official death toll from the Eaton and Palisades fires that ravaged Los Angeles in recent days rose to 11 dead on Friday.
“My heart bleeds for my friends,” Garner added. “I mean, I can think of 100 families and 5,000 homes were lost. I can — without even [thinking] — I could just make a list of 100 friends who lost their homes.
“I almost feel guilty walking through my house.”
She continued: “You know, what can I do? How can I help? What can I offer? What do I have to offer with these hands, these walls and the security I have?
Garner spoke with MSNBC while volunteering with Andrés, 55, to feed firefighters and evacuees at one of the Los Angeles County chief’s pop-up sites.
The “13 Going on 30” star told Tur, 41, that Andrés’ work serving those affected by the fires “is an incredible thing to watch.”
“World Central Kitchen and Chef José just came in and [said]’We’ve got you. We have fixed this problem. Don’t worry.'”
“I’ve lived in and around the Palisades for 25 years, so I think all of us want to put our hands together, in some way, to be helpful,” she continued. “And through my work with Save The Children, we have a relationship with the chef, and I was able to just say, ‘Can I be with you for the day?’ What can I do to help? Put me to work.
Only 8% contained, the Palisades fire is the largest of the fires wreaking havoc in Los Angeles County. The fire has burned more than 21,000 acres in the coastal communities of Pacific Palisades and Malibu.
Two other fires, the Eaton and Hurst fires, are always out of control. In total, more than 200,000 people were displaced and more than 10,000 structures were destroyed.
Many celebrities are among the thousands who have fled or lost their homes.
Anthony Hopkins, Billy Crystal, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Paris Hilton, Anna Faris, Steve Guttenberg, Mel Gibson, Tina Knowles, Miles Teller, Cobi Smulders, Melissa Rivers, Jeff Bridges, Candy Spelling, Eugene Levy and Adam Brody and Leighton Meester are all stars whose homes were destroyed by fires.
