Los Angeles sues developer for $20M, says building was unprotected against fire caused by arson
Corrected: The city of Los Angeles filed a $20 million lawsuit Thursday against the developer of an apartment building then under construction that was burned to the ground in a massive 2014 fire.
Taxi driver Dawud Abdulwali, 56, has been charged with setting the Da Vinci Apartments fire. However, the city alleges the blaze could have been prevented if developer Geoffrey H. Palmer and his company, GH Palmer Associates, had better secured the one-block site, provided an appropriate water supply and incorporated fire-safety measures such as fire doors while the project was underway, the Los Angeles Times (sub. req.) reports.
Nearby city buildings were affected by the fire, which leveled the block, and the suit seeks to recover the cost of damage caused by the fire and water used to extinguish it.
“We’re fighting to fully compensate the city’s taxpayers for the losses we allege could have been avoided had this massive building incorporated key safety measures and been better constructed,” said city attorney Mike Feuer in a written statement.
The newspaper could not immediately reach the defendants for comment.
Related coverage:
Los Angeles Times (sub. req.): “Bail stays as is for man accused of starting Da Vinci fire downtown”
Updated on May 17 to clarify headline and to correct the spelling of the developer’s name.
Correction
Updated on May 17 to clarify headline and to correct the spelling of the developer’s name.
