Early morning fire news: A blaze started at about 5:30 am at the Basque nightclub at Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood. The property, which also houses other businesses, was recently sold, City Councilman Eric Garcetti told KTLA-TV. The area is chock full of development, notably the Hollywood and Vine condominium/W Hotel project, and other projects referenced by Garcetti in a press conference this morning. There is about a "billion dollars worth of investment within about two or three square blocks of this area," Garcetti told reporters. He also added: "It's notable we have been having some fires in this area, and we will be looking into it." Indeed, Eater LA notes that there was a fire at restaurant Off Vine just last Sunday. These photos were taken at 7:50 am, by the time the blaze had been contained.
· Spectacular blaze erupts in nightclub at Hollywood and Vine [Sign on San Diego]
Blogdowntown points out that scaffolding is up along the AON Center building at 707 Wilshire, the construction barriers showing renderings of a garden cafe and other improvements that should help to make the 1973 building "more friendly to pedestrian life." The blog also recounts the 1988 fire at the building--a blaze that killed one person--and highlights other odd stories that occurred at the AON Center.
What appears to be final word on this morning's fire at developer KB Homes' project Ascent at Warner Center: A welder accidentally started the blaze "when a piece of molten metal fell onto tar paper on the story below," according to SignOnSanDiego. Isn't tar paper always to blame. And three-fourths of the development was spared. And the fire via the construction cam: The second shot is before the fire started.
· Wing of big L.A. condo construction site burns [Union-Tribune]
· Update: KB Home's Ascent Fire; High 300s, Indeed [Curbed LA]
We stopped by the KB Home's Ascent projectnear the corner of Canoga and Erwin in lovely ash-covered Warner Center. Above: Snaps from the reconnaissance mission. Reader Adam also alerts us to the live web cam broadcasting at the project. Hello Mr. Fireman. We're guessing the smoldering units will need to be reevaluated in terms of pricing.
UPDATE: Los Angeles fire spokesman Brian Humphrey tells KTTV-TV "the fire is burning from the top floor of the construction site, but that the structure will likely be a complete loss."Fox News is reporting that over 200 fireman were on scene and that the fire was reported under control at 10:05 am.
Ah, another pretty photo to paste into the scrapbook of city bus fires. Reader Jeremy, who took this shot of a burning bus on the El Monte Busway East (between Garfield and Atlantic) around 9:20 this morning, writes: "No idea what happened." Let's hope no one was sitting back there.
After losing their home in last November's Corral Canyon fire, Malibu residents Paul and Sara Grisanti have filed a claim against California that essentially says the state knew the cave--where the fire was allegedly started by a group of partying young men--was a big, danger-causing hangout, reports the LA Times. A disco inferno, really. Grisantis (who is also a real estate agent) says that state received numerous complaints about partying in the cave; he also says he was told that the parks department didn't have enough money for a full-time ranger in the area. Apparently unable to sue the cave, Grisantis is going after the state: Via the Times: "Grisantis' claim, seeking more than $3 million in damages, alleges that the state Department of Parks and Recreation knew that a large cave in the Corral Canyon portion of Malibu Creek State Park posed a fire danger because residents had often complained that it was a popular site for moonlight carousing and bonfires." More claims from homeowners, who also want a gate installed half a mile from the entrance of the cave, are expected.
· First claim in Malibu wildfire is filed [LAT]
· $10,000 Reward Coming in Corral Blaze; Investigators Look For Marshmallow Clues [Curbed LA]
--Malibu Times: Fifty-one homes destroyed, 27 damaged in the 4,500-acre fire. Southern California Edison reports 1,300 customers without power.
--Here in Malibu blog: Per 5pm press conference, fire is 35% contained.
--TMZ: Officials hope to have 50% containment by tomorrow evening. A list of homes damaged in fire will be listed shortly on the city of Malibu web site.
--Malibu web site: Southern California Edison says customers in Corral Canyon and Latigo Canyon areas should have power restored by Sunday night.
So far we've received two, umm, a few too few drawings to justify a contest. Maybe you need motivation. Slate has created its own dynamic video with Jim Festante (cool glasses, Jim) explaining how Santa Ana Winds work. You should watch and learn. Again, we are asking Curbed readers to email us (la@curbed.com) a picture/ drawing/ rendering/ diorama/ collage explaining how the Santa Ana Winds work. Thank you.
Today, we enter a period of calm thanks to the waving green flag as seen on the LAFD web site. However, a reader emails us this warning about a big black cloud wafting across the ocean.
Hi there, just took my kid to school in Brentwood and on the way (on Ocean Ave in SM) I saw huge black clouds blowing out over the ocean. The fire seemed to be coming from two sources on the cliffs in Palisades. I've checked the news online and TV, but there's no mention of it. Does anyone know what's going on?
We don't know what's going on, but perhaps a reader will inform us. Also, Blogging.la reported a sighting of a fire that erupted near Dodger Stadium yesterday. Everything appears to be okay now and thanks to the pitiful performance of the Dodgers this year, no fans or players were threatened.
· Big Ass Fire @ Dodger Stadium? [blogging.la]
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After losing their home in last November's Corral Canyon fire, Malibu residents Paul and Sara Grisanti have filed a claim against California that essentially says the state knew the cave--where the fire was allegedly started by a group of partying young men--was a big, danger-causing hangout, reports the LA Times. A disco inferno, really. Grisantis (who is also a real estate agent) says that state received numerous complaints about partying in the cave; he also says he was told that the parks department didn't have enough money for a full-time ranger in the area. Apparently unable to sue the cave, Grisantis is going after the state: Via the Times: "Grisantis' claim, seeking more than $3 million in damages, alleges that the state Department of Parks and Recreation knew that a large cave in the Corral Canyon portion of Malibu Creek State Park posed a fire danger because residents had often complained that it was a popular site for moonlight carousing and bonfires." More claims from homeowners, who also want a gate installed half a mile from the entrance of the cave, are expected.
Today, we enter a period of calm thanks to the waving green flag as seen on the
