Irish Eurovision finalist Bambie Thug has spoken of how they were nearly caught up in the Los Angeles wildfires this week.
The Macroom-born artist told The Opinion Line on Cork's 96FM of their narrow escape from the Runyon Canyon fire.
Bambie Thug received an evacuation alert and could not get an Uber.
They told host PJ Coogan: "I was watching the news, but I had turned it on mute, and when I unmuted, it immediately said, 'Hollywood Hills evacuate now'.
"I was one of the many residents who received an urgent evacuation notice.
"So 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.
"There were eight of us on the roof.
"I've never experienced a natural disaster. Obviously in Ireland, we're lucky.
"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. So I was lucky. I'm in downtown LA now."
While the situation was extremely serious, Bambie Thug was amazed by the community spirit on display.
"Residents were distributing masks and taking in those displaced by the fire. It's lovely to see, actually, there's a beautiful spirit here."
The singer is due to return home to Ireland at the end of the month.
"I'm actually just over to reboot. I'm on a holiday visa. I'm just, like, resting and seeing my friends...
"I'm safe and I'm well. I'm grateful to be alive."
.svg)