Ninety tenants displaced by East Hollywood apartment fire
Residents of a 1924 building at 560 North Kingsley Drive are staying in a Silver Lake shelter while waiting for updates from their landlord.
By Lucas Sheridan ·
A fire that started in the basement of a 60-unit apartment building in East Hollywood has left 90 residents without homes and one person hospitalized. The blaze occurred on October 15 at approximately 4:20 a.m. and forced occupants of the property at 560 North Kingsley Drive to evacuate with little more than the clothes on their backs. The Los Angeles Fire Department has determined that the fire began in the basement, though the specific cause remains under investigation.
The building was constructed in 1924, a decade before modern construction codes required fire barriers to stop flames from spreading through walls and between floors. Many older residential structures in Los Angeles lack these protections. Residents noted that the building was undergoing construction and was in poor condition at the time of the fire. Gloria Flores, who lived in the building for 29 years, stated that no alarms sounded and that she was awakened by the sound of knocking. She described seeing her apartment burn completely, a situation officials termed a red zone. Other units, such as the one occupied by Luz Camacho, were classified as yellow zones, indicating partial damage.
Residents are currently housed in a temporary shelter at the Bellevue creation center in Silver Lake. Gloria Flores said the landlord returned half of the rent but has provided little other information. She mentioned that she was told she might be contacted in four to five weeks to determine if she could return. Vilma, a resident for 18 years, and Morelos, another tenant, also reported that they did not hear any alarms and attributed the issues to the building's age and lack of maintenance. Ismael, a resident for over 30 years, said he was woken by his wife and saw thick smoke filling the hallway.
The American Red Cross Los Angeles region is providing the displaced families with shelter, food, and physical and mental health support. Jacquelyn Clites, the executive director of the Los Angeles region, said volunteers and partners worked to ensure residents had access to necessary resources. While tenants expressed gratitude for this aid, they are seeking direct responses from the building owner. The owner was not available for comment before this report was filed. Morelos argued that the landlord must answer for the time tenants lived in the property.
Most tenants have received vouchers for free housing through the end of December. No lawsuits have been filed yet, but residents have begun consulting with lawyers to evaluate their options. Flores has started a GoFundMe account to raise funds while she searches for a new home. Camacho noted that the emotional toll has been difficult to manage, and she has been crying at work due to the uncertainty of where she will live permanently.
The Los Angeles Fire Department continues to investigate the cause of the fire. Residents remain in the Silver Lake shelter as they await further communication from their landlord and a permanent housing plan.
