Crime & Safety
Escrow Closed Days Before Fire at BeauRivage
Daniel Forge, who still lives on the property on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, said he had planned on cleaning out his office, but instead is helping the new owner assess the damage to the restaurant.
Octogenarians Daniel and Luciana Forge were looking forward to the quiet life after 33 years of running the iconic BeauRivage Restaurant in Malibu.
Just days ago, the Forges closed escrow on the property with the Morris Gerson Family Company, Inc. Early Monday morning, a fire broke out in the attic of the restaurant, which had closed for the day around midnight.
"It's unbelievable," Forge said. "They're so unlucky. It's terrible."
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How the fire started remains under investigation, but Forge said he believes it is electrical. The fire caused more than $400,000 in damage, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Forge said he believes the damage could be even greater, and that it could take three to four months for the repairs to be made so the restaurant can be reopened.
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From his office on the back side of the restaurant, Forge explained he had planned on moving out of the small room Monday. The smell of smoke lingered in the air, and his hands were stained black with ash.
"I may stay here a little while to help them out with all this nonsense," said Forge, who is 86 years old.
He said the noise of the firefighters arriving in the parking lot woke him up.
"I opened the door and there was all these fire department trucks," Forge said.
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