Harry and Meghan join aid effort as deadly decimation continues

THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex hugged survivors and volunteers as the deadly Los Angeles wildfires showed no signs of letting up yesterday.

- Tony Whitfield

Harry and Meghan joined other celebrities helping out as the death toll climbed to 11, with 13 people reported missing and large parts of the city in smouldering ruins.

Former child star Rory Callum Sykes, 32, who was blind and had cerebral palsy, died after becoming trapped in his Malibu home, his mother said.

More than 10,000 homes and other buildings have been destroyed, with 57,000 still at risk, and 153,000 people evacuated as six major fires burned simultaneously and left firefighters and volunteers stretched.

The wildfires swept through an estimated 38,000 acres of land, an area two-and-a-half times bigger than Manhattan.

Harry and Meghan, who live 90 miles away in Montecito, visited a pop-up kitchen for emergency workers and the displaced at the Pasadena Community Centre on Friday to comfort those affected by the fires and provide support.

They chatted to firefighters, Pasadena mayor Victor Gordo, and José Andrés, founder chef of World Central Kitchen, that has provided much-needed meals.

The couple's charity The Archewell Foundation, has partnered with World Central Kitchen for a number of years.