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The owner estimates about $14 million while the Los Angeles Fire Department says $7 million was lost in a Hollywood Hills mansion fire that occurred Wednesday morning. It was initially reported that his art collection included works commission by Napoleon Bonaparte and a Faberge egg--now we find out that a Stradivarius violin was also lost, according to the owner, attorney Brian Witzer. However, his Ferarri collection was spared, despite earlier reports.
Witzer said he awoke to the sound of breaking glass and rushed upstairs expecting a burglary, instead found his home in flames. "It even sounded as if my 600-gallon fish tank was exploding, so we had a major problem. I went back down to the bedroom to make my 911 call, which was made within one-and-a-half minutes of the time that I was first woken up, because that was my first instinct: to call 911," he told the Daily News, complaining of the long response time. "They answered quickly, but there was a 30-minute response time here," Witzer continued. "It should only take five minutes to get here from Sunset."
The fire department asserts they arrived in less than 8 minutes.
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Dude, I feel sorry about your house, but stop throwing the fire department under the bus, it's making you look like an asshole.
I agree. I'm guessing he's used to having his way his whole life.
He's a lawyer, so he's well aware that if you repeat something enough times, people will think it's true. I'd wager he's planning to sue the city and LAFD, and is keen on building his (bullshit) case immediately. Good thing dispatch has documented records on LAFD response times.
I'm sure this guy had fire insurance and is just trying to make a case that he didn't do more to stop the fire because he thought the fire department would be there sooner. If not it looks odd that he'd let all his precious collectibles just burn, doesn't it?
If he indeed has a strad that's a shame. Another issue is the city/govt sometimes underestimates the value of artifacts/artwork. Not sure why everyone is jumping on his case right away as if it's his fault. We don't know all the facts yet...
If he does have these works there will be documentation from a dealer/appraiser. It will come out eventually.
The reason people are "jumping on his case" is fairly simple.Quit blaming the LAFD when you should be thanking them for not letting your entire house burn to the ground. Also, are we supposed to really feel bad that this tool lost his rich guy possessions? Seriously, a Faberge egg? WTF? If he didn't have insurance on these things, then he is an even bigger idiot than he is making himself look like. I smell another frivolous lawuit in the making.
Stadivarius seems to have been the world's most prolific violin maker, so I'm sure there are still plenty around!
It would amaze me if that guy was actually able to PLAY that violin with any proficiency. I'll place a bet on him having it just to show people how totally awesome and appreciative of music... oh wait, no, how RICH and obnoxious he is!
...Yep and there are still a lot of Picasso paintings lying around so it's ok if we poke holes in all of them! Art is still art. The # of works one produces doesn't cheapen it.
I was joking. It seems that every world-class violin player (and even some not-so-world-class violin players) play on a Stradivarius. Of course, I completely encourage actual violin players to buy and use them. What the hell was this tool doing with one?
When this clown was interviewed on TV, he said the response time was about 12 minutes. And now he's telling The Daily News it was 30 minutes? Well, which one was it?
Credibility issues, much?
I'm wondering why this house (full of precious art!) didn't have smoke alarms or any other fire detection devices. He didn't know there was a huge fire until a noise woke him up? I live in the Hollywood Hills and my alarm goes off if we burn cookies!
That's just careless.
I know, I live in a 1400 square foot apartment and I have TWO smoke detectors. The one between the kitchen and bedrooms goes off if I set the over over 400 degrees.
This guy goes around suing people and ruining other peoples lives. It wouldn't surprise me if someone torched his house. Who remodels a house and puts priceless art pieces in it without a fire sprinkler system. Total disregard for art, shows the arrogance and lack of respect for anyone but himself. Quit blaming the LAFD they were there in less then 10 minutes when you should be thanking them for not letting your entire house burn to the ground.