Recurring fires at Sun Valley 'hoarder house' spark neighborhood outrage, legal action

Sun Valley fire renews fears over longtime hoarder house

Neighbors of the property on La Tuna Canyon Road say the property has caught fire at least five times.

LOS ANGELES - Neighbors in Sun Valley are pleading for city intervention after a recurring "problem property" caught fire again on Friday, sparking fears of a neighborhood-wide catastrophe. 

The site, which has been the subject of years of complaints regarding hoarding and toxic materials, is now at the center of an upcoming legal battle.

What we know:

The property on La Tuna Canyon Road is described by residents as a "hoarder’s paradise" filled with junk, abandoned vehicles, and hazardous materials. 

Friday's fire required the assistance of Hazmat crews specifically to handle compromised lithium-ion batteries. 

While the City of Los Angeles previously attempted a cleanup following an EPA report of toxic chemicals last summer, neighbors report that the debris has already been replaced. 

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 

• Man living in so-called Sun Valley 'hoarder house' faces arrest if he keeps blowing off court requests
• Cops breach Sun Valley 'hoarder house'
• La Tuna Canyon residents concerned over hoarding, toxic soil at neighbor's home

A man identified by neighbors as "Dave" is allegedly responsible for bringing the items onto the land, which is owned by his mother.

What we don't know:

It is currently unclear how the fire on Friday started or the exact volume of hazardous materials remaining on the site. 

While the property owner was previously sentenced to 180 days in jail for failing to remediate the property, she served only one day due to her age.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Sun Valley 'hoarder house' owner appears in court

Mary Ferrera, the woman who owns a home in Sun Valley neighbors have called a "hoarding nightmare," appeared in court, saying her son who lives on the property is the one responsible for the home's condition.

What they're saying:

Residents and officials have expressed deep frustration over the ongoing safety risks.

 "I've got animals, the people that live next door to me have two kids. We can't have this kind of crisis... Help us manage this before all of our houses burn down," a neighbor told FOX 11.

"This private property in La Tuna Canyon has posed a significant public safety risk to residents for years. I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to remediate the site and maintain the Los Angeles Fire Department's access to responding to fires in the area," said City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. "I look forward to the upcoming jury trial, which begins this Wednesday, to hold the property owner accountable for their actions."

What's next:

A jury trial regarding the property is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, April 29. 

The legal proceedings aim to hold the property owner accountable for the ongoing public safety hazards and the failure to maintain a clean site despite previous city intervention.