Community Corner

Fireworks Possible Cause of Echo Park Attic Fire

Firefighters responded about 1:30 am to a call about a structure fire in the 1600 block of Fargo Street.

 

No injuries were reported after a structure fire early Thursday morning in Echo Park.

According to Captain Louis Navarro of LAFD Station 20, firefighters received a call around 1:30 a.m. about a fire in the 1600 block of Fargo Street, just off Echo Park Avenue.

Find out what's happening in Echo Park-Silver Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to Navarro, the house was vacant and there were no witnesses to what happened.

But, he said, there is speculation that  an illicit firework or two may have touched off the blaze.

Find out what's happening in Echo Park-Silver Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A commenter on the Echo Park-Silver Lake Patch noted that the vacant house was formerly occupied by so-called "gang members" who were recently evicted.

But others have noted that it was empty due to the cancer-related death of its former occupant last year.

Echo Park and environs is an epicenter of spectacular--but illegal--fireworks displays.

This year was no exception, with the skies and streets filled with everything from sparklers to Roman candles.

Fireworks have been illegal in the City of Los Angeles since World War II.

According to LAFD spokesman Brian Humphries, clinics and hospitals reported numerous walk-in injuries from fireworks last night.


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