Roughly 40 people found living in 'inhumane' conditions in LA 'because rent is so high,' woman says

SOUTH LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - A commercial building in South Los Angeles where about 40 people allegedly were living illegally was evacuated Friday, and authorities were working to arrange for temporary housing for those displaced.

Police and fire department personnel went to the 800 block of West 57th Street about 6:45 a.m., said Nicholas Prange of the Los Angeles Fire Department. City officials also went to the scene.

The LAFD's Fire Prevention Bureau was investigating building code violations involving "illegal habitation" of the structure, Prange said. No injuries were reported.

Officials said they received a tip about the building, and located up to 40 people living there without water, gas or electricity.

LAFD Capt. Branden Silverman said the building was not zoned for housing.

"Just disgust, just horror," Councilman Curren Price told FOX 11. "That's why when we found out about it, we put together a task force -- not just to investigate but to get these folks out and get them in a safe place to live."

"Inhumane, trash, debris -- no one should be living in those kinds of conditions," Price added.

Amelda Glaspie, who had been living in the building, told FOX 11 that she's been living there with her husband for roughly a year and a half "because rent is so high" in the area.

Officials said they are still early in their investigation.

CNS contributed to this report.