The Lion King’s Aaron Nelson & Nteliseng Nkhela 'Lose Everything' in New Jersey Fire

The Lion King’s Aaron Nelson and Nteliseng Nkhela, who play Simba and Rafiki, respectively, in the long-running Broadway musical, have “lost everything” in a devastating fire. Both lived in New Jersey’s 400-unit Avalon at Edgewater apartments, which the New York Daily News reports were destroyed when a blaze started around 4:20 PM on January 21.

The cause of the fire is still being determined, with a local State of Emergency declared. No serious injuries have been reported as a result of the blaze.

Nelson is making his Great White Way debut in the show. His regional theater credits include columbinus 2.0, RENT and Dreamgirls. Screen credits include Chicago Fire. Nkhela, who is also appearing on Broadway for the first time, joined The Lion King directly from the Hamburg company of the musical. Other stage credits include The Journey, Memeba and I'm African.

Derrick Davis, who co-stars with the pair in the production, is planning a benefit concert at Times Square’s Urbo and a GoFundMe account has been created by colleague Christina Grant to help them back on their feet.