Fire Damages Rap Musicians’ Home

Arson officials investigated the cause of a fire Sunday that gutted two floors of a three-story house worth nearly $1 million, but later determined it was an accident.

The fire broke out between 10:30 and 11 a.m. in the 3700 block of Berry Avenue in a posh hillside neighborhood. Actor William Shatner lives nearby. The three tenants, whose lease began less than three weeks ago, are rap musicians who recorded music in the home. Fire officials said the blaze destroyed at least $300,000 worth of property.

There were no injuries.

Arson investigators initially thought the fire might have been started by a smoldering cigarette, but later determined it was an accident involving candles, according to spokesman Jim Wells with the Los Angeles Fire Department.

One of the three tenants, Knoc-Turn’al, is a recording artist who has worked with rapper Dr. Dre.