A vacant house in Hollywood with a history of fires was demolished by Los Angeles Fire Department crews early Thursday morning after yet another blaze. Neighbors had expressed ongoing concern for safety due to squatters repeatedly setting fires at the two-story structure located at 1744 North Wilton Place. “We were watching it unfold, exactly what we were scared of," Jeanne Rice, a neighbor, told ABC7 after witnessing the fire from her home.
The demolition swiftly followed the fire, which erupted around 2:00 a.m. This was not an isolated instance but rather marked the latest in a string of fires at the property. A total of six had occurred since the previous summer, according to Los Angeles Fire Department records. Despite efforts to secure the vacant home, including a fence and window boards, it became apparent that these measures were not enough to prevent trespassers from infiltrating and creating hazardous conditions. "How much defense do we have to put up around ourselves to keep ourselves safe?" asked Hollywood resident Levi Freeman in an interview obtained by ABC7.
Residents have been vocal about their frustration with the ongoing issues surrounding vacant properties, which have become hotspots for crime and danger. “It’s a failure of the city and it’s a failure of the developers,” Rice said to KTLA. Concerns have been raised about the existing vacant property next door, amplifying fears that the cycle of neglect and danger could continue.
The issues with the property were compounded by a bureaucratic tangle. The owner had been waiting for a demolition permit while contending with two pending clearances required by Los Angeles City Planning. The demolition permit was only issued after the most recent fire, which in turn had already prompted LAFD to bring in heavy equipment like a CAT excavator to take down the house. "Currently, until a property is formally declared as a 'public nuisance,' the city is only allowed to access private property during an immediate public safety emergency like an actively-burning fire," explained Council District 13 spokesperson Nick Barnes-Batista to NBC Los Angeles. T
The incident resulted in no injuries, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
