Earlier today, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) tackled a structure fire at 956 S Crenshaw Blvd in Mid-Wilshire. The LAFD alert reported the fire at a vacant one-story commercial building, with offensive firefighting operations needed due to heavy fire showing.
While the LAFD has not yet commented on potential causes of the fire, it raises questions on whether stricter safety regulations and oversight for these buildings are needed.
In response to this ongoing issue, many cities across the nation have implemented measures such as mandatory inspections of all vacant properties. In other cities found that the frequent inspection of these unoccupied structures lowered the rate of incidents like the Mid-Wilshire fire. Additionally, it made it easier for local governments and fire departments to identify hazards and enforce safety requirements in a timely manner.
