TikTok Star Caitlin Doran Loses Family Home in LA Wildfires

TikTok star Caitlin Doran, known for sharing her life with her 175-pound African tortoise Tiptoe, has lost her family home in the devastating Pacific Palisades wildfires. The 28-year-old, who has 4.5 million followers, documented the heartbreaking moment her childhood home was engulfed in flames, a video that has since gone viral with nearly 20 million views.

Doran, a fifth-generation Palisadian, described the loss as unimaginable. “Our family has been here since the 1930s,” she told BuzzFeed. “It is anything but just a house. My grandparents raised their children there, and my mom raised us across the street. This house was her haven.” The fire, which began on January 7, 2025, quickly consumed the neighborhood, leaving little time for residents to salvage belongings.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Doran recounted the harrowing experience. “We were on the roof just watching until we broke out the hoses,” she said. Despite their efforts, the family was forced to evacuate by midnight as the flames overtook their home. “Once the water stopped, there was nothing left to do,” she added.

Among the few items saved was a 5-foot lazy Susan, a cherished family heirloom used for Sunday meals. Doran also shared that her beloved tortoise, Tiptoe, will have a new home thanks to her landlord in Marina del Rey, where the family is temporarily staying.

The community has rallied around Doran and her family, offering support and condolences. On TikTok, followers expressed their grief, with one commenting, “Watching this unfold in Scotland and my heart is breaking for you all.” Doran remains hopeful, stating, “We’re all going to be figuring it out together.”

The wildfires have left a trail of destruction in Pacific Palisades, a community deeply rooted in history and family ties. Doran’s story highlights the emotional toll of such disasters, as families grapple with the loss of not just homes, but irreplaceable memories.