The Mexican-American band Fuerza Regida have rented out an entire hotel in Los Angeles to shelter victims of the rampant wildfires.
The devastating fires broke out on January 7 and have claimed the lives of 16 people to date, with nearly 180,000 residents having evacuated their homes and over 13,400 structures sustaining damages.
Some of those displaced from their homes will be able to take refuge in a hotel that Fuerza Regida have rented out for six days, starting on Saturday (January 11).
“To our beloved community affected by the Los Angeles fires: We are here for you in this challenging time,” the band wrote in a statement. “We’ve rented out a hotel with space for more than 50 families, more will become available for those in need of shelter. Please know that we stand with you and will continue to support throughout this difficult period. Rooms will be available at 3pm PT 01/11/24.”
The San Bernardino-based band, who are multiple winners at the Billboard Music Awards and Billboard Latin Music Awards, urged people to contact [email protected] for further information.
Among those to have passed away amid the ongoing natural disaster is the former child actor Rory Callum Sykes, who died aged 32 in his home in Malibu on Wednesday (January 8).
Paris Hilton has spoken about watching her home burn down on television, while James Woods, Billy Crystal, Cary Elwes and Mark Hamill are among the other high-profile names to have been badly affected.
Heroes actor Milo Ventimiglia choked up during a live interview while discussing watching his own house burn down, while a fundraiser for DIIV frontman Zachary Cole Smith was launched after his house succumbed to the fires. Mel Gibson‘s house was another one to be destroyed, with the actor revealing that it burned down while he was recording his appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
Many music recording spaces have also been destroyed by the fires, including Bob Clearmountain’s legendary Mix This! recording studio in Pacific Palisades.
A benefit concert for the victims has been announced. Dubbed FireAid, it will take place at LA’s Intuit Dome on January 30, with proceeds going to the rebuild program and to displaced families. No line-up has currently been announced.