Fire Damages Rap Singer’s House, Injures 2 Firefighters

A Calabasas house belonging to a member of the rap group NWA was damaged Sunday by a blaze that left two firefighters slightly injured, authorities said.

The two-story house caught fire about 6 p.m. after sparks from smoldering coals--possibly from a barbecue--traveled from a trash can up a vent pipe into the attic, Los Angeles County fire officials said. A second alarm on the blaze was sounded about 15 minutes later.

About 50 firefighters battled the blaze, which was extinguished about 6:50 p.m., fire officials said. Two firefighters suffered heat exhaustion and were treated at the scene, nestled in the posh Mountain View Estates complex of million-dollar residences.

Property records show that the 4,000-square-foot, French Colonial-style residence in the 5300 block of Newcastle Lane belongs to Andre R. Young, better known as rapper Dr. Dre of the group NWA.

The house was described by fire officials and neighbors as heavily damaged, particularly its shingled roof and the attic, which was completely destroyed. Fire officials estimated damage at $125,000.

“It looks like a dinosaur ate a huge chunk out of it,” said neighbor Amanda Kohls, 16.

Arson investigators who were sent to the scene were called back, because arson did not appear to be the cause, fire officials said.

Young, 27, gained notoriety when he was charged earlier this month with assault in the beating of a Woodland Hills man. Young has denied that he broke record producer Damon Thomas’ jaw in a May 5 scuffle in Thomas’ apartment complex. At the time of the incident, Young was on probation after pleading no contest to beating a television show host in a West Hollywood nightclub last year.

Young and other members of NWA--which has generated controversy for its graphic anti-police lyrics and songs about violence against women--were also arrested during a May 22 brawl in a New Orleans hotel. About 50 people were involved in the melee, which required as many as 80 police officers--some on horseback--to quell.

Young and his fellow rappers were booked on several charges, including battery of a police officer, inciting a riot, criminal damage and resisting arrest. All were freed on bond.