MUNA reassured fans that they were all “safe” after their tour bus was engulfed in flames in Los Angeles on Monday (19.10.26).
The blaze started on the 5 Freeway in Burbank, California, just after 8am local time.
Burbank Fire Department and California Highway Patrol swiftly attended the scene and managed to put out the fire. According to reports, no one was injured and an investigation into how it started is underway.
Pop trio MUNA – comprising Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin and Naomi McPherson – posted a picture of the incident from news outlet KTLA, and confirmed they weren’t injured.
Although no one was hurt, they did lose personal belongings that weren’t able to be salvaged.
They captioned the picture on Instagram: “The band MUNA as seen on the news this morning.“Many personal items were lost but we’re all safe, thank goodness.”
MUNA are due to bring their Gets So Hot Tour to the UK and Europe in November.
They’ve had a tough time of late. Guitarist and vocalist Naomi McPherson sat out the opening dates of the tour to be with their mother Harriet during her final days.
In an update on September 15, they explained that they would miss several shows at the start of the North American run, which began in Philadelphia on September 25. The band said the decision was made so Naomi could stay with their mother and handle her affairs following her passing.
Lou Roy stepped in for Naomi for a few shows before their return.
The group’s statement read: “Tragically, Naomi’s mother Harriet has been suffering for some time now from an extremely aggressive and terminal form of cancer that has escalated in severity over the past few weeks.
“Now, it has become clear that her passing will coincide with the beginning of this headline tour.
“Because of the terminal nature of her illness, Naomi has been at home with her for her final days and will be staying behind after we depart in order to take care of her affairs after her passing.
“It was important to Naomi that the shows happen with or without them, and so plans have been in the works to ensure this.
“When Naomi inevitably returns to the tour, they will do so with the knowledge that watching them play music is what filled Harriet with the most joy and pride. It is impossible to overstate the impact that Harriet has had on the band, and on our hearts and souls.
“Whilst talking about playing these shows without Naomi, one of the things that kept coming up was how this is a way for us to honor them and Harriet right now, and we also know and trust that fans will want to be together and show their love and support for our sweetest member.
“If you are coming to one of the shows Naomi won’t be at and want to send them some extra love, we will have a letter drop for them at the merch stand.”
MUNA added that this is “one of the hardest things” they have faced as a band, thanking fans for their support.