This browser does not support the Video element.
Fire devastates Old Town Newhall 'community pillar'
The community is left devastated after a fire destroyed several businesses in Newhall.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - Customers and a former employee are raising questions after the owner's second business in just over a year went up in flames.
A massive fire tore through Old Town Newhall early Monday morning, destroying several businesses along Main Street, including an auto shop already facing customer complaints in a FOX 11 investigation.
What we know:
The fire broke out just before 3 a.m. Monday in the 24200 block of Main Street. The Los Angeles County Fire Department says the blaze originated at Gary's Auto Collision Center before spreading to neighboring businesses.
Among the buildings destroyed or heavily damaged were Gary's Auto Collision Center, The MAIN theater, the Newhall Refinery restaurant and the clothing store Care Tucker.
No injuries were reported. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's bomb squad and arson investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire. No official cause has been announced.
Gary's Auto Collision Center is owned by John Wright, who also owned Halsey's Auto Center on Sierra Highway. That business burned down in July 2025.
What they're saying:
Carolyn Tucker, whose clothing store was destroyed, said she doesn't know what's next.
"It's gone. I don't know what to do. I’m a mom of four, and we're a small business, a family business," Tucker said.
Rafael Gonzales, reacting to the loss of Newhall Refinery, called it a blow to the community.
"Obviously, this hurts. The Newhall Refinery was a pillar in the community. It's sad to see it go," Gonzales said.
A Fire Department spokesperson confirmed investigators have pinpointed where the fire began. "It did start at the auto shop," the spokesperson said.
Vanessa Parada, a former employee who worked at both of Wright's auto shops, spoke with FOX 11 but asked not to be shown on camera. She said Wright told her about the Halsey's fire directly.
"When I was working at Gary's, he had messaged me that Halsey's went on fire. I believe it's still under investigation," Parada said.
The backstory:
FOX 11 first investigated Wright and Gary's Auto Collision Center in July, after multiple customers came forward saying they paid for repairs and never got their vehicles back.
Cheyenne Serano and her boyfriend, Malcolm Moyenda, said Wright never repaired their Tesla and placed a lien on it instead.
"He's been in the middle of a lot of litigation and under investigation. He has been holding my boyfriend's car hostage for the past 10 months. Put it on a fraudulent lien. Over $200,000 was what the lien was for," Serano said.
Mark Haberman, another customer, said he paid Wright $20,000 to repair his truck more than a year and a half ago. It was still sitting at the shop when the fire broke out.
"I don't know the extent of the damage to my personal vehicle. This might be a wash at this point," Haberman said.
When FOX 11 interviewed Wright in July, he denied all wrongdoing. "I don't hold anything hostage," Wright said at the time.
FOX 11 attempted to reach Wright again on Monday and did not hear back.
Returning to the scene Monday, Serano searched for her Tesla, hoping it survived the fire. "Our Tesla is not there," she said.
Haberman said the timing of the two fires raises questions but stopped short of drawing conclusions. "There is another business owned by the same person that burned down July 31 of 2025. That's a little suspect, but again, until detectives and arson investigators get in there and come to some decisive conclusion, it's all hearsay," Haberman said.
What's next:
Investigators have not announced a cause for Monday's fire or confirmed any connection to the 2025 Halsey's fire. FOX 11 will continue to follow the investigation and Wright's response.
Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste issued a statement Monday addressing the damage to Old Town Newhall:
"Old Town Newhall is the root of our City's history. I am sorry to lose these historic buildings. While we feel the loss, we also look to our future to support the people who have always worked toward making this a special place in our community. We will ensure that the history of this treasured area continues to be celebrated, and the City will do everything we can to bring back what we have lost.
"We are grateful that the beloved Canyon Theatre Guild — in its beautiful historic brick building — was left intact, so theatre can continue to thrive on Main Street.
"Our Fire Department did a monumental job of containing the fire, keeping it from impacting any other buildings. They are remarkable men and women who run toward danger to help save what we love — both our spaces and our lives — and we are grateful that none of them were injured in the firefight."