Studio fire destroys Black Eyed Peas' gear

NEW YORK (BEP Fans Website) - A fire broke out in a studio where rock band the Black Eyed Peas were recording an album, destroying about $500,000 in gear and instruments, authorities and band members said.

Band members lit candles during the recording session and forgot to blow them out, causing the 3am fire yesterday at Glenwood Place Studios, Captain Ron Bell said. Damage to the building, where the group was recording the album Monkey Business, was estimated at $US50,000 ($70,000). No one was injured.

The band, which performed at the Democratic National Convention, said it was devastated by the loss.
"Guitars, drums, drum kits, keyboards, microphones, classic instruments that we've collected with our worldly travels are now destroyed," band member Will I. Am told KABC-TV.