Westlake Encampment Fire Destroys Local Flea Vendors Vehicle

Hi, I’m Alena. I own a small business where I sell handmade bikinis and vintage clothes at the Silverlake Flea in Echo Park. It’s just me doing everything — designing, sourcing, doing deliveries, setting up my booth, and getting myself to and from the market every weekend.

This morning, around 8:15 am, I went outside to go to work like I always do, but when I turned the corner, I saw fire trucks and firefighters stopping people. They asked where I was parked, and when I told them which car was mine, they said it had been badly damaged by an explosion/fire on the sidewalk that occurred in an encampment on my street. In my area, Westlake, we've been dealing with these unsafe encampments and unsafe conditions in the streets for unhoused people, but I've never seen something this bad/dangerous happen before. When I got to it, I was in complete shock and devastated. The entire side of the car was melted, the back windows were shattered, the gas tank was burned, and the plastic was dripping off the lights.

What makes it worse is that we had called the city before to report the encampment, they were building structures with plywood and using electric,but nothing was ever done. Being the fourth of July, I'm sure that people were out on the street popping fireworks, which could be a possible cause to this fire. And now, a fire started and totaled the car behind me and pretty much totaled mine too. A mechanic told me it would cost more to fix than to get a new car. But this is my only car. It’s how I get to work. And without it, I can’t work or earn any income.

When I tried to get help, no one helped. The firefighters left without giving me any info or a case number. I went to the Rampart police station, and they told me “vote for better people” and refused to help me. No report, no resources, nothing. I left feeling helpless and honestly heartbroken.

Since I had limited liability insurance, vandalism/arson was not covered so I will have to pay out of pocket.

I really didn’t want to have to make this, but I’m stuck. I need help to fix or replace my car so I can keep working and keep my little business alive. Even $5 would mean the world. I’m so thankful for anyone who reads this or shares it.

Thank you so much,

Alena