Alt-pop singer Bambie Thug leaves Los Angeles apartment due to wildfires

Irish singer-songwriter Bambie Thug has narrowly escaped the Los Angeles wildfires this week, the artist has revealed in an interview.

Bambie Thug told The Opinion Line on Cork's 96FM of their experience navigating the extremely hazardous conditions that have swept through parts of Los Angeles over the past week.

“I went up to the roof – and behind the house by this restaurant called Yamashiro, which is, like, this old Japanese, like, historic restaurant – there was this big fire next to it,” they told host PJ Coogan.

Bambie Thug joined eight other residents on the roof and tried to call an Uber, to get away from the danger. A succession of Uber drivers cancelled the requested rides, but Bambie Thug was eventually able to get a lift from a friend. Currently, they are safe in downtown Los Angeles.

The fires began on Tuesday last and have continued to ravage the Hollywood Hills, inflicting billions of dollars worth of damage. Ten people had died as of Friday, and approximately 180,000 were given orders to evacuate their homes.

"I've never experienced a natural disaster,” Bambie Thug said. "Obviously in Ireland, we're lucky." While Ireland has been hit by wildfires, but the temperate climate means that the damage is generally much more limited and easier to contain than in places where high temperatures create extreme dryness.

The artist represented Ireland in Eurovision 2024 with their hyper-pop single ‘Doomsday Blue', finishing in a highly creditable sixth place – the best position achieved by an Irish entry in many years. Bambie Thug is set to open for BABYMETAL alongside Poppy for a major 2025 UK and European arena tour, beginning in May. In the meantime, they plan to return to Ireland for a holiday.

"I'm safe and I'm well. I'm grateful to be alive," said Bambie Thug.