The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion to waive parking fees Chinatown residents displaced by an apparent arson in September.
“These residents have endured so much and endured a very difficult tragedy,” said Supervisor Hilda Solis, who drafted the motion. “We want to ensure that our Chinatown residents affected by this unfortunate fire continue to receive support. The last thing they should be worrying about is parking fees, especially so close to the holidays.”
The massive fire occurred on September 13 in a three-story apartment building in the 700 block of New Depot Street. The flames spread to a neighboring apartment complex in the 800 block of Bunker Hill Avenue, forcing residents to evacuate, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. Inspectors closed one of the buildings after red-tagging it due to the damage.
Solis’ office said many of the approximately 70 displaced residents are seniors with complex health needs and disabilities.
The fires forced some residents to move to hotels and others to stay in motels with parking fees. The motion concerns $2,080 in parking fees at Lot 45 on North Spring Street. It can accommodate 20 vehicles between November 15 and December 6.
In addition to the waivers, the county will provide $250 debit cards to affected residents through the Chinatown Service Center.
Investigators from the LAFD and Los Angeles Police Department believed one arsonist started the fire but announced no arrests.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the LAPD Major Crimes Unit at (213) 486-7260.
