Billy Crystal and his wife, Janice Crystal, are mourning the loss of their cherished home in the Pacific Palisades, California, after it was destroyed in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The couple, who had lived in the house for 46 years, raised their two daughters and grandchildren in the beloved family residence.

Crystal confirmed the tragic news in a statement to PEOPLE. “Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing. We ache for our friends and neighbors who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy,” he said.

The home, which the couple moved into in 1979, held decades of memories. “Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away,” Crystal added. “We are heartbroken of course, but with the love of our children and friends, we will get through this.”

The couple also expressed gratitude for the emergency responders battling the fires. “We pray for the safety of the firefighters and first responders,” Crystal said, highlighting the resilience of the Pacific Palisades community. “It is our home.”

Billy and Janice, who married in 1970, are parents to two daughters, Jennifer Crystal Foley and Lindsay Crystal, born in 1973 and 1977, respectively. Their Pacific Palisades home was not just a house but a cornerstone of their family’s life.

During a 2021 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Crystal reminisced about raising his daughters there at the start of his and Janice’s careers. “I was Mr. Mom way before it was popular,” he said. “I look at it as a real turning point in my life, not only as a father, but a human being.”

The Palisades Fire, which began on January 7, has burned over 15,000 acres and is one of several wildfires raging across Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles County Fire Department confirmed that the fire remains 0% contained, leaving residents in its path vulnerable to catastrophic loss.

Tragically, five deaths have been reported during the Eaton Fire, another wildfire in the area, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony C. Marrone.

The Crystals remain hopeful about the future of their community. “The Pacific Palisades is a resilient community of amazing people, and we know in time it will rise again,” Crystal said.

Though their home is gone, the Crystals hold onto the love and memories built within its walls. As they and their neighbors begin the long road to recovery, the couple’s story stands as a poignant reminder of the personal toll these natural disasters take.

For now, the Crystals lean on their family and friends, finding solace in the community that has been their home for nearly half a century.