LAFD Finds Nearly 2 Dozen Freeway Underpasses Need Fixing

In the wake of the 10 Freeway fire, the Los Angeles Fire Department inspected all state-owned freeway underpasses in the city and has identified nearly two dozen properties with violations.

LAFD inspectors reviewed 50 underpass properties that are similar to where that massive fire sparked in downtown L.A., and 23 of them were referred to the State Fire Marshal for fire code violations.

In addition to fire code issues, inspectors were looking for health and safety code violations.

Specifically, LAFD looked at hazardous materials storage that exceeds the state reporting threshold of 55 gallons of liquid, 200 cubic feet of gas, and 500 pounds of a solid. LAFD also kept an eye out for improper storage or use of hazardous materials.

Flagged locations

These are the 23 flagged locations, a majority of which are in the downtown L.A. area:

• 1320 Wilson St.
• 2425 Enterprise St.
• 1310 Elwood St.
• Southwest corner of Lemon Street at Enterprise Street
• 2200 Enterprise St at Lemon Street
• 2216 Enterprise St.
• 954 W Washington Blvd.
• Intersection of 16th and Trinity streets
• Intersection of 16th and Wall street
• Intersection of 17th Street and Grand Avenue
• 954 W. Washington Blvd.
• 1628 S. Central Ave. #A
• 1630 S. Central Ave.
• 1468 E. 17th St.
• 1501 E. 17th St.
• 1651 Naomi Ave.
• 1100 E. 16th St. 
• 1630 S. Central Ave.
• Under the 101/134/170 Freeway interchange where it crosses of Tujunga Avenue.
• 405 Freeway at the 110 Freeway
• 110 Freeway at Channel St.
• Pacific Coast Highway (lower) at Alameda Street
• 110 Freeway at the 105 Freeway

What fire inspectors found

State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant told LAist that Cal Fire has already gone out to inspect those properties. He said they found a “multitude of violations” at some of those underpasses.

“One of the challenges that we found is that many of the individuals that were leasing property with Caltrans would then sublease it,” Berlant said. “So we may go out there one year, and from the next very month, there's a new sublease individual that's in there, and now they're bringing in something that is hazardous. It’s an evolution of really trying to enforce the fire code.”

However, that doesn’t mean all 23 properties are a serious fire risk. Berlant said many of the violations that LAFD found were able to be resolved very quickly with small changes.

What's next

The violations that Cal Fire deemed to be more egregious were shared with CalTrans, who is now working with the lessees to come into compliance, he added.

Berlant said the 10 Freeway fire was very unfortunate, but it wasn’t just about the violations that were previously found at the site.

“Let's not forget that the fire was caused by arson,” he said. “Somebody intentionally set that property on fire, and they purposely worked to cause damage. That adds to a level of degree of why that fire became so dangerous.”

Where the arson investigation stands

Cal Fire arson and bomb investigators are still trying to identify the suspect behind it, and Berlant said they’re still receiving tips.

If any of the tips lead to an actual arrest, the tipster can receive up to a $1,000 reward. Berlant said it may not be a lot, but they’re hoping the money might encourage a witness to come forward.

Anyone with information on the suspected arsonist is asked to call CAL FIRE’s anonymous arson hotline at 1-800-468-4408 or send an email to arsonbomb@fire.ca.gov.

You can also make a report anonymously at (800)-AA-CRIME, (916)-443-HELP, or the P3 Tips App at P3tips.com.