Bel-Air Synagogue Blames City For Homeless Camp Wildfire

LOS ANGELES, CA — Last year's wildfire that destroyed several Bel-Air mansions and damaged a synagogue could have been prevented if the city had dealt with the homeless encampment that ultimately caused the blaze, a new lawsuit alleges.

The Leo Baeck Temple, a Bel-Air synagogue, filed suit against the city over the Skirball Fire that triggered evacuations and shut down the San Diego (405) Freeway, it was reported Friday.

Temple officials said it sustained fire damage from the blaze that started when a cooking fire at the homeless encampment swept through the hills of Bel-Air. The blaze destroyed six homes and damaged a dozen others.

According to the lawsuit, several complaints were made to the city about the encampment by community members. The camp was situated among the dry brush and posed a fire danger to the community, but the city failed to inspect the camp or warn the public about the danger, temple officials claim.

The city and county "knew or should have known that this presented a fire hazard, as the area is prone to wildfires because of the trees, bushes and other vegetation and foliage," the lawsuit states, according to The Times

The temple lists four causes of action, including claims that the city and county maintained a dangerous condition on public property and allowed a public nuisance. It is seeking more than $25,000 in damages.

The encampment was nestled in a canyon several hundred feet from Sepulveda Boulevard and the 405 Freeway, hidden from passing cars. Officials have said it was home to an unknown number of people for several years.

The camp -- one of scores of makeshift communities that have grown along freeways, rivers and open space across Los Angeles -- was largely destroyed in the fire.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.