Studio City fire: Suspect arrested on suspicion of murder after blaze kills 2 at music studio

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Monday, April 16, 2018
Studio City fire: Suspect arrested for murder in fatal blaze
A 28-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fire that left two people dead and two others critically injured in Studio City.

STUDIO CITY (KABC) -- A 28-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fire that left two men dead and two other people gravely injured at a music studio in Studio City, authorities announced.

Efrem Demery was taken into custody Saturday evening and booked Sunday morning on suspicion of murder, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson said. He was being held without bail.

The fire occurred Saturday morning at a single-story commercial building in the 3700 block of North Cahuenga Boulevard, near Lankershim Boulevard.

The flames in the 50-by-75-foot studio, called Top Notch Studios, were extinguished by firefighters within 30 minutes.

"I could have died," said singer-songwriter L.A. Pryce. "If I wasn't in the light sleep that I was, I could have died. Period."

One of the deceased victims was identified by coroner's officials as 28-year-old Devaughn Kemar Carter of Los Angeles. The other deceased man's name was not released.