Light My Fire: Landmark Famously Featured On The Doors 'Morrison Hotel' Album Goes Up In Flames

Posted • December 27, 2024: A historic building with a rock music connection went up in flames in Los Angeles today. More than 100 firefighters fought a blaze that engulfed the landmark Morrison Hotel. The LAFD has not released a cause for the fire, but many are speculating it was caused by homeless people squatting in the vacant structure. Nearly 100 year old “vacant” building in Los Angeles that has been taken over by homeless people mysteriously catches fire. LAFD says the causes are still under investigation, but it may have something to do with the homeless people taking over the nearly 100 year old building. Several people were evacuated from the burning building, but it was not currently open for tenants due to it being ruled unsafe. That’s why many are blaming squatters. A huge proportion of LAFD's work are fires started by homeless.

It’s weird that the LA Times coverage of the Morrison Hotel fire makes it sound like it was actively being used as (legal, safe) homeless housing rather than being an abandoned shell of a building being squatted in. A few commenters believe the building was purposely set afire for insurance money. The building is currently owned by a non-profit AIDS healthcare group so that seems unlikely. If the name of the hotel sounds familiar, it’s because the front of the building was famously photographed for The Doors 1970 album aptly titled, Morrison Hotel. Jim Morrison was the lead singer of the group. Some are claiming the building is nearly 100 years old. In fact, the building is much older. It was constructed in 1914. The LAFD’s arson unit is investigating to determine how the blaze started. (…)

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https://twitchy.com/warren-squire/2024/12/27/morrison-hotel-the-doors-los-angeles-fire-homeless-n2405745