Shortly before 3:00 p.m. yesterday, LAFD was called to the scene of an attic fire at a home at 521 N. Gramercy Pl. According to LAFD, 84 firefighters responded, and knocked down the blaze in 36 minutes. Damage was extensive (at least part of the roof collapsed), but no injuries were reported, and there is no word yet on possible causes of the fire, or damage estimates.
This home is one of many on the block, on both sides of the street, currently standing vacant and slated to be torn down for planned developments. It is owned by Gramercy Holdings 26 LLC, one of several small real estate holding companies owned by attorney David Hanasab. A demolition permit was issued for the home on January 18, and a permit application was completed on January 24 for the construction of a new 19-unit apartment building at the site. Another new 65-unit building is planned for the lots just across the street, at 518 N. Gramercy.
Thanks to Buzz readers Deborah Stolberg and Eileen Lanza for the photos and videos.
[This story was updated after publication to add details of the new apartment building planned for the site.]
The following videos from during the fire were provided by Eileen Lanza. The first was taken from Wilton Pl., looking toward Gramercy, where the smoke could be seen coming from the home behind those shown here.
