A fire at Nick Nolte's home in Malibu, California gutted his
living room but the actor escaped with minor injuries after trying
to douse the flames with a garden hose, officials said.
The Tropic Thunder star suffered smoke inhalation and minor
abrasions in the fire, which was caused by an electrical problem,
Inspector Sam Padilla, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire
Department, said.
The fire caused $3 million in damage to the structure and contents
of the house but the home was not destroyed, Inspector James Barnes
of the fire department said.
The flames were confined to the living room.
"Nick Nolte was there apparently with a water hose trying to
extinguish the fire himself and of course we came to help him out,"
Barnes said.
Nolte's spokesman, Arnold Robinson, said in a statement the actor
was grateful to fire-fighters and police for their quick response
and assistance.
Nolte, 67, is a two-time Oscar nominee for his roles in The Prince
of Tides and Affliction.
He stars in the Ben Stiller comedy Tropic Thunder and will next appear in the thriller Nine Miles Down from British director Anthony Waller.
