Former Child Star Dies at Age 32 in California Fires

An Australian actor who overcame blindness and cerebral palsy to rise to fame on British television as a child has tragically lost his life in the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.

Rory Callum Sykes, 32, achieved recognition in the U.K. during the 1990s as a star on the children’s show “Kiddy Kapers,” as reported by CNN. As an adult, he co-founded the charity group Happy Charity.

However, when the wildfires ravaged Malibu last week, the flames claimed his life.

Sykes’ mother, Shelley Sykes, shared the heartbreaking news on social media platform X on Thursday.

Rory had a private cottage on the family’s Malibu estate, which was “filled with all the latest apple gadgets,” she wrote.

But embers from the raging fires landed on the cottage’s roof.

“I couldn’t put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off by @LVMWD Las Virgenes Municipal Water. Even the 50 brave fire fighters had no water all day!” Sykes explained.

The tragic news shocked Australia, with a report from the Australian news program 10 News First covering the details:

“He was my baby, and he died needlessly,” Sykes told the broadcast.

Despite his disabilities, Rory understood the danger his family faced from the fire.

“He said, ‘Mum, leave me,’” Sykes recalled. “No mum can leave their kid.”

Sykes shared that she was unable to move Rory due to a broken arm and drove to a local fire station for help, as reported by 10 News First.

But the fire department was unable to assist, as they were without water and only had axes at their disposal.

When Sykes returned to the cottage with firefighters, she discovered it had been “burned to the ground.”

In the midst of such a tragic loss, Sykes was able to find a small comfort: her son “died from carbon monoxide poisoning rather than burning,” she revealed to 10 News First.

“I didn’t want any pain for my baby,” she said tearfully.

Condolences from around the world flooded in on social media:

Sykes ended her post on X with a statement that conveyed a mother’s deep loss: “He will be incredibly missed.”

“He will be incredibly missed by @shelleysykes, mama his pet peacocks Edgee & Mickie & all his online fans around the world!” she wrote.