Eurovision star Bambie Thug was among thousands of US residents who were forced to evacuate after a series of ferocious wildfires erupted across the Los Angeles area this week.
At least 10 people have been killed and 180,000 people have been forced from their homes in what have become the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles’ history.
Cork singer Bambie is currently over in Los Angeles ‘to reboot’ and visit friends following a hectic year which saw them become the first singer to qualify Ireland for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest since 2018 with their song, Doomsday Blues.
Bambie was staying next to the Hollywood Hills when the Runyon Canyon fire broke out on Tuesday and the singer recalled the terrifying moment they were ordered to evacuate the area as fires rampaged around them.
“I was watching the news, but I had turned it on mute and unmuted it and it immediately said ‘Hollywood Hills evacuate now’,” Bambie told Cork’s 96FM Opinion Line with PJ Coogan.
“So I went up to the roof and behind the house by this restaurant called Yamashiro. There was like this big fire next to it and there were like eight of us on the roof and I was like, ‘should we leave?’
“And then immediately after I said that we got an evacuation notice and yeah, it was, well, I’ve never experienced a natural disaster. Obviously in Ireland we’re lucky.”
The Eurovision star revealed how they tried to order an Uber to get them away from the area but the drivers kept cancelling their booking. Luckily, a friend came back into the building and drove the group to a safe location.
“So I was trying to book an Uber and they were cancelling on me and then a friend of mine actually came back into the building, gave me a lift down,” Bambie said.
“So I was lucky, luck of the Irish,” Bambie said. “But I’m safe and I’m well.”
In the midst of the horrific fires which have seen the homes of celebrities such as Mel Gibson and Paris Hilton reduced to ash, Bambie said there has been ‘an amazing community spirit’ as locals come together to keep people safe.
A home is engulfed in flames during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County
(Image: JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
“Somebody was driving around, giving out masks out the window when I was leaving,” the Cork singer recalled.
“Everyone’s taking everybody in and, you know, everyone’s coming together. So it’s lovely to see, actually, there’s a beautiful spirit here.”
Speaking about the celebrities who have lost their homes in the devastating wildfires, Bambie said: “But you know what, whatever with them. I mean, it’s bad for everyone, but they have the money to rebuild it. Some people don’t.”