Jhené Aiko is praying for strength after losing her home to the devastating fires burning across the Los Angeles region. Meanwhile, local officials say the death toll from the fires continues to climb.
On Saturday, Jan. 11, the Grammy-nominated singer uploaded footage of her fire-ravaged home to her Instagram Stories.
The house was gutted by flames, with nothing left but mangled metal, ashes, and a brick wall. She captioned the video: “My cozy cottage dream. That brick stood its ground tho.”
Related: LA Residents ‘Detain’ Suspected Arsonist Holding Blowtorch Near Kenneth Fire
Aiko, 36, said she lost everything in the fire.
“Me and my children’s home is gone, burned to the ground with all of our things inside. Lord have mercy,” she wrote alongside a praying hands emoji. “Thankful we still have each other. Starting from scratch. My heart is so heavy.”
While some people on social media offered condolences, others suggested she wasn’t deserving of sympathy because of her wealth.
The singer responded to the negative comments in a post reshared by The Neighborhood Talk.
“With all due respect. Some of you are loud and wrong. I worked very hard… for many years, through a lot of pain… to provide my children with this house. I put everything into it. Praying none of you ever experience this,” she wrote.
Jhené Aiko is one of thousands of L.A. area residents who lost their homes in the fires — ranging from the very rich to homeless people living in their cars.
To date, the flames have destroyed more than 12,300 structures. According to L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, those structures include houses, apartment buildings, businesses, and vehicles.
The wind-fueled fires have killed at least 16 people, the county coroner’s office said in a press release on Saturday evening.
A man named Victor Shaw, 66, died with a water hose in his hand, ABC News reported. Shaw lived in the Pasadena suburb of Altadena and lost his life in the Eaton fire while trying to protect his house from the flames. He had lived in the single-family home since 1965, his family told the outlet.
Victor Shaw is among those who lost their lives in the Eaton Fire, with his sister telling ABC News he died in a heroic attempt to defend his home in Altadena.
Shaw’s body was found in front of the home, a garden hose still in his hand.
Read more: https://t.co/izW9Fe6YKR pic.twitter.com/FOcjjp3tqZ
— ABC News (@ABC) January 10, 2025
As of Sunday, three fires were still burning in L.A. County, per the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire) — they are the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles; the Eaton Fire in the Altadena/Pasadena area; and the Hurst Fire in Sylmar.
In a news conference on Sunday afternoon, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said more than 100,000 people remain under evacuation orders.
Local politicians warned more windy weather is on the way, as the ATF investigates what started the fires.
Looting remains a problem throughout the region, although Gov. Gavin Newsom has deployed the California National Guard to help clamp down on crime.
“The men and women of the California National Guard are working day and night to help Los Angeles residents during their greatest time of need,” Newsom said in a statement.
Victoria Knapp, chair of the Altadena Town Council, said the city has taken extra steps to combat looting.
“Multiple looter suppression teams are working across Altadena, and Sheriff Luna, along with Supervisor [Kathryn] Barger, has made it clear that there will be zero tolerance for looting,” Knapp said in a statement to Urban Hollywood 411.
The state has put together a website offering details on resources available for those impacted by the fires. Details can be found here.
Airbnb.org is partnering with 211 LA to offer free temporary housing for residents displaced or forced to evacuate due to the recent wildfires. Details can be found on the 211 LA website.
Discover more from Urban Hollywood 411
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.