Fire Devastates Historic Morrison Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles
The Blaze
A fire tore through the upper floors of the boarded-up Morrison Hotel on Thursday in Downtown Los Angeles, destroying a significant portion of the pop culture landmark immortalized by The Doors’ 1970 album cover with the same name.
Background
Healthy Housing Foundation, the real estate arm of nonprofit AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), purchased the four-story building in 2023 for $11.9 million. The plan was to convert the shuttered 111-key hotel into affordable housing, replacing hotelier Grant King’s redevelopment plan that had fallen through earlier.
The Plan
The new plan was backed by John Densmore, drummer for The Doors, and photographer Henry Diltz, who snapped the surreptitious shot inside the hotel’s lobby featured on the album cover. The conversion was intended to provide affordable housing units to the community.
The Fire
Instead, investigators were left picking through the hotel’s charred remains to gather evidence of possible arson. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the incident and took 97 minutes to get the fire under control. Miraculously, several people escaped unharmed, and there were no reported injuries.
Safety Concerns
The vacant hotel had been on the city’s radar for some time. Building inspectors had cited the address for multiple violations, including major interior work taking place without a permit and nuisances like trash and graffiti. Just three days prior to the fire, a city code enforcement inspector cited the Morrison Hotel for "a building or wall that could fall down," according to Buildings and Safety records.
Investigation
The Los Angeles Fire Department is currently investigating the fire as a possible arson. A spokesperson declined to share any findings so far, stating that the investigation is ongoing.
Conclusion
The fire at the Morrison Hotel has brought a halt to the planned redevelopment of the property into affordable housing, at least for now. The incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety of buildings, especially those that are vacant and pose a risk to the community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What caused the fire at the Morrison Hotel?
A: The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Los Angeles Fire Department, but it is believed to be a possible arson.
Q: Was anyone injured in the fire?
A: No, there were no reported injuries.
Q: What is the current status of the redevelopment plans for the Morrison Hotel?
A: The fire has brought a halt to the planned redevelopment of the property into affordable housing, at least for now.
Q: Was the hotel being used as a temporary shelter for unhoused individuals?
A: Yes, an unknown number of unhoused people had recently moved into the building.
