A three-story townhouse in East Hollywood burst into flames on Tuesday morning. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that the fire, in a vacant townhouse on the 500 block of North Normandie Avenue, began around 11:15 a.m. The flames spread from the first to the second floor and possibly to the attic as well.
Two firefighters were transported to the hospital due to heat-related illness. The fire was largely extinguished, but firefighters continued to address stubborn pockets of fire, which were difficult to access due to the building’s construction and the fire’s location.
Local resident Sam Reese told KTLA that he and several neighbors had noticed suspicious activity at the abandoned property and had contacted the homeowner to ask him to secure the property more effectively. According to Reese, a couch was set on fire in front of the same residence last week.
Over 70 firefighters were able to extinguish the flames in just over two hours. Assistant Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department, Dean Zipperman, warned that firefighters would remain on the scene for several more hours.
As personal injury bloggers, we often highlight the dangers posed by abandoned properties, which can become hotspots for illegal activities and incidents like this fire. We hope this incident serves as a reminder to property owners about the importance of adequately securing their properties, especially when they are vacant.