Fire-Damaged Pico-Union Triplex Burns...Again
1232 South Bonnie Brae Street has caught on fire before. The big 1902 Craftsman, converted to a triplex years ago, had a permit issued in 2021 for re-framing the roof in the aftermath of a fire…and just six months ago, a quality review for fire repair (likely for the back house) was completed.
When the Hollywood Center Motel had a fire recently, it was torn down VERY quickly due to safety concerns. Yet, this triplex was left standing for nearly 10 years after a devastating fire on August 10, 2016. The fire also displaced 41 people (32 adults and nine children) and two dogs (a third dog and a cat did not survive).
I suspect that there wasn’t a push to tear down these homes because Pico-Union is full of working Angelenos (many of them immigrants). Hollywood, however, attracts tourists. The Hollywood Center Motel came down in record time; this triplex kept racking up code complaints after the roofing permit was issued.
The triplex has a metal fence (no chain-link here!), but it wasn’t enough to keep out squatters. It caught on fire again today. Two squatters reportedly had to be rescued, and three had to be treated by LAFD paramedics.
Will it ever stop?
1230-1232 South Bonnie Brae Street, Pico-Union.
1820-1822 West 12th Place, Pico-Union. (Note: Street View pulls up 1821, which is across the street.)