Sharon Osbourne and others who operate in the facility reported that Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s daughter Aimee was among those who survived a Hollywood recording studio fire that killed a 26-year-old music producer.
The wildfire that started late Thursday afternoon in the two-story commercial structure that has numerous studios and music-making areas also evaded Aimee Osbourne’s producer. According to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Erik Scott, it took 78 firemen more than 50 minutes to put out the fire.
Two persons reported respiratory issues from smoke inhalation and were assessed at the scene, but neither wanted to be brought to the hospital, according to Scott.
“Unfortunately, one individual was discovered deceased within the home while firemen inspected the structure,” Scott said, adding that no firefighters were hurt and that the cause of the fire is still being investigated.
Friends and others who worked in the premises, including artist and record label owner Jamal Rajad Davis, named the victim as Nathan Avery Edwards, 26, who recorded, produced, and mixed music under the moniker Avery Drift.
Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne’s eldest daughter was one among the survivors, according to Sharon Osbourne’s Instagram post.
“The fortunate two who got it out alive” were Aimee Osbourne, 38, and a producer she was working with, Sharon Osbourne claimed, without naming the producer.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the individual who perished in this terrible fire,” Osbourne added.
Aimee Osbourne is an American singer who goes under the moniker ARO, which stands for her initials. Her younger siblings Kelly and Jack Osbourne did participate in the Osbourne family’s reality program, but she did not.
Davis, whose stage name is Jamal Rajad, shares a space in the building with his wife and four cats, where he lives and works. When he saw and smelled smoke, he assumed his wife was burning incense.
He said that as he and others entered the hallway, they saw smoke and intense heat emanating from a unit a few doors down. As Davis and others yelled for him to stop, the guy from that space locked himself out and started attempting to bust the door open.
“Boom!” he said as he opened it. “Old, big flames!” In an interview with The Associated Press, Davis said.
As he raced back to his place, Davis started yelling for Osbourne and others to leave.
“I grabbed everything huge,” he continued, referring to his 65-inch television, his PlayStation interface in his studio, and his internet box, as well as “everything I saw that was right there that I felt was significant.”
He tossed his belongings outside and dashed back inside to get his pets, but it was too late.
He said, “I was already choking.” “So I pulled off my shirt, wrapped it over my face, and pushed myself a little farther.” I took approximately five or six steps and was unable to reach my kittens.”
Jonathan Wellman, who leased a recording studio in the same building as Edwards, described himself as “a terrific young artist, producer, and engineer” to The Los Angeles Times.
Several others, according to Davis, were able to follow the sound of his voice to a safe escape.
He remarked, “I’m glad for it, yet resentful for Avery’s death.” He was on the same floor as us, on the lowest level. I didn’t recognize it at the time. I barely had a few seconds to make a decision. I wasn’t even able to rescue my kitties.”
No smoke alarms or sprinklers went off, according to Davis, Wellman, and others.
It was unclear if the building had any code violations or fines at the time.