With the mayoral election less than two months away, two fires at abandoned properties in Los Angeles have brought City Hall's handling of nuisance properties into sharp focus. The incidents, one in Studio City and another on the eastern edge of Larchmont, have become points of contention between Mayor Karen Bass, who is defending her seat, and challenger City Councilmember Nithya Raman.
The first fire, which occurred on August 26, engulfed a vacant house on Babcock Avenue in Studio City, just south of Moorpark Street. Neighbors had reportedly spent five years appealing to City Hall about the property, describing it as a dumping ground, a fire hazard, and a gathering spot for unhoused individuals. According to resident Jon Manzanares, attempts to get a response from the city often resulted in a "runaround." The August fire eventually spread, damaging the rear of an adjacent home.
Following the incident, both Bass and Raman's campaigns exchanged blame. A social media post from the Bass campaign stated that after six years in office, Raman "can’t even get a single lot cleaned up in her own district." Raman responded by saying she had alerted the mayor’s office about the property 10 months prior, adding that she could not call the mayor about "the 200-plus issues that we’re dealing with that are at this level of risk." Manzanares, a retired lawyer, observed that it often takes public attention to prompt action, noting that "The news crews showed up" to cover the fire, and "it finally got some attention because of the election."
Another instance of neglect led to a fire in March on North St. Andrews Place, where construction worker and pastor Juan Galicia’s house was destroyed after flames jumped from an adjacent abandoned property. Galicia, who lived there with an extended family of 10 for 18 years, lost his home in a matter of minutes. He and his family had reportedly contacted police and city offices multiple times about squatters and drug use at the empty dwelling next door. While police would respond, Galicia said the problems would return after they left.
Kayt Miranda, whose Studio City home office and storage structure were damaged by the Babcock Avenue fire, also reported filing multiple complaints over five years without hearing back from the city. She described seeing people setting up camp at the property with mattresses and clothing racks. While Miranda stated that Raman's office would send responses, she noted they "never saw any action." An email from a Raman staffer to Manzanares last month acknowledged the difficulty, stating "unfortunately, there is not a clear and expeditious path forward on this case."
The challenges faced by residents like Galicia are significant. Despite his home being destroyed, his insurance settlement will not cover the cost of rebuilding, and he continues to pay $2,000 monthly on his mortgage, plus $6,200 for temporary lodging. A spokesperson for City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez stated his office was aware of Galicia's issue in January but could not track down the adjacent property owner due to complex legal records before the fire.
Mayor Bass acknowledged the pervasive nature of the problem during a call to KTLA-TV, stating, "this is a situation that unfortunately exists all over the city." Data from the L.A. Fire Department shows that between 2018 and 2024, homelessness was a factor in approximately one-third of all fires in the city. Manzanares commented, "I feel for these people, I really do. I’m not unsympathetic," but stressed the need for "something constructive and not have these encampments that start fires."
In response to the ongoing issues, Mayor Bass issued a press release on September 5, announcing directives for city crews to clean and secure nuisance properties across Los Angeles. She also mentioned having previously signed legislation, initiated by Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, aimed at expediting the process of addressing negligent property owners and imposing stiffer penalties. With the election approaching, voters will be looking to both Bass and Raman to present concrete plans for tackling these persistent challenges.
