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Arson to blame for massive fire that destroyed high rise in Los Angeles Arson to blame for massive fire that destroyed high rise in Los Angeles
(4 months later)
Federal investigators have blamed arson for a massive fire that destroyed a partially built apartment complex in downtown Los Angeles last week.Federal investigators have blamed arson for a massive fire that destroyed a partially built apartment complex in downtown Los Angeles last week.
A hunt is now under way for those who apparently used an incendiary device to obliterate the controversial seven-storey, fortress-style Da Vinci structure.A hunt is now under way for those who apparently used an incendiary device to obliterate the controversial seven-storey, fortress-style Da Vinci structure.
The December 8 blaze produced apocalyptic images as 250 firefighters battled to stop it spreading onto the 110 freeway and neighbouring buildings.The December 8 blaze produced apocalyptic images as 250 firefighters battled to stop it spreading onto the 110 freeway and neighbouring buildings.
“Investigators recovered sufficient evidence to eliminate all known potential accidental causes and determine the fire was intentionally set,” the LA fire department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said in a joint statement late on Thursday.“Investigators recovered sufficient evidence to eliminate all known potential accidental causes and determine the fire was intentionally set,” the LA fire department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said in a joint statement late on Thursday.
Robert Nelson, head of the LA fire department’s Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section, said the investigation was big and complex. “Arson is a serious crime and we will use all of our available resources to arrest and prosecute any individuals involved in any arson fire in Los Angeles,” he said.Robert Nelson, head of the LA fire department’s Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section, said the investigation was big and complex. “Arson is a serious crime and we will use all of our available resources to arrest and prosecute any individuals involved in any arson fire in Los Angeles,” he said.
Carlos Canino, the ATF special agent in charge, said his agency would work with state and city officials to find the perpetrators. “The work at the crime scene is finished, however our investigation is not over.”Carlos Canino, the ATF special agent in charge, said his agency would work with state and city officials to find the perpetrators. “The work at the crime scene is finished, however our investigation is not over.”
The blaze reduced the almost-finished complex to bare concrete stairwells and smouldering metal, causing an estimated $20m to $30m in damage. The heat melted signs on the approach to two freeways, blowing out windows and setting off sprinklers in nearby public buildings.The blaze reduced the almost-finished complex to bare concrete stairwells and smouldering metal, causing an estimated $20m to $30m in damage. The heat melted signs on the approach to two freeways, blowing out windows and setting off sprinklers in nearby public buildings.
The arson ruling, first reported by the LA Times, confirmed suspicion that the fire was intentional. It started at night and spread very swiftly. Two thirds of the 526-unit structure was reportedly engulfed when the fire was first reported at 1.09am. The arson ruling, first reported by the LA Times, confirmed suspicion that the fire was intentional. It started at night and spread very swiftly. Two thirds of the 526-unit structure was reportedly engulfed when the fire was first reported at 1.09am.
An additional reason for suspicion: many people hated the project.An additional reason for suspicion: many people hated the project.
The developer, Geoffrey Palmer, dismayed some neighbourhood activists, officials and other critics by siting the building so close to noise and pollution from the freeway, creating a faux Italianate aesthetic and planning an elevated bridge so residents could avoid homeless people on the streets.The developer, Geoffrey Palmer, dismayed some neighbourhood activists, officials and other critics by siting the building so close to noise and pollution from the freeway, creating a faux Italianate aesthetic and planning an elevated bridge so residents could avoid homeless people on the streets.
“We can’t say we feel too sad about it going up in spectacular flames,” said the real estate website Curbed LA, which usually welcomes developments. “We can’t say we feel too sad about it going up in spectacular flames,” said the real estate website Curbed LA, which usually welcomes developments.
Palmer has made a fortune building numerous “Renaissance collection” apartment complexes over the past 15 years. He often builds on relatively cheap land next to freeways and builds dense yet high-rent, luxury apartments.Palmer has made a fortune building numerous “Renaissance collection” apartment complexes over the past 15 years. He often builds on relatively cheap land next to freeways and builds dense yet high-rent, luxury apartments.
The LA Times’ leading columnist, Steve Lopez, has called them “Death Star monstrosities”. Another local architecture critic, Adrian Glick Kubler, dubbed them “vacuums designed to suck the life out of a neighborhood that has worked so hard to become lively in the past decade”.The LA Times’ leading columnist, Steve Lopez, has called them “Death Star monstrosities”. Another local architecture critic, Adrian Glick Kubler, dubbed them “vacuums designed to suck the life out of a neighborhood that has worked so hard to become lively in the past decade”.
Supporters credit the Beverly Hills-based entrepreneur with easing a shortage of rental accommodation and helping to revive downtown, a formerly bleak, depressed area undergoing dramatic gentrification. The Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney concert hall has become the flagship of renewed cultural vibrancy.Supporters credit the Beverly Hills-based entrepreneur with easing a shortage of rental accommodation and helping to revive downtown, a formerly bleak, depressed area undergoing dramatic gentrification. The Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney concert hall has become the flagship of renewed cultural vibrancy.
On Monday, Palmer issued a statement saying that regardless of the fire the northern section of the Da Vinci development would open next year. “Though we have temporarily lost Building B, we will be opening Building A across the street at the end of January to those families looking forward to occupying their new homes.”On Monday, Palmer issued a statement saying that regardless of the fire the northern section of the Da Vinci development would open next year. “Though we have temporarily lost Building B, we will be opening Building A across the street at the end of January to those families looking forward to occupying their new homes.”