Actor and poker enthusiast James Woods proved heroic during recent Los Angeles wildfires, orchestrating the rescue of his 94-year-old neighbor with dementia before losing his own home in Pacific Palisades.

Upon evacuating his burning neighborhood, Woods recalled the elderly neighbor and contacted the man's son in Massachusetts, learning that his father had returned home with a new caregiver. When emergency services couldn't immediately respond, Woods directed another neighbor to check the house.

Following Woods' specific instructions to look behind the pantry in a small garden-view room, the neighbor located the elderly man who had been left alone after firefighters evacuated his caregiver. The rescue came just an hour before the house burned down.

"God was on his side," Woods told CNN, fighting back tears during the interview.

Woods and his wife had just completed a three-year renovation of their "paradise" home three months prior to its destruction. Drawing from his childhood experience of losing a family home to fire, Woods emphasized the importance of following evacuation orders and praised emergency responders' efforts.

The actor, known for his role in "Casino" and regular participation in poker tournaments including the World Series of Poker, received support from family members, including his eight-year-old niece who offered her piggy bank to help them rebuild.

This act of heroism highlights the critical importance of community awareness and quick action during natural disasters, potentially saving a life through careful attention to vulnerable neighbors.

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