A devastating fire ravaged the historic Morrison Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, severely damaging the landmark building known for its appearance on The Doors' iconic 1970 album cover.
Nearly 100 firefighters battled the blaze for over two hours after it broke out around 11 a.m. The fire destroyed the roof of the building, which has now been red-tagged as uninhabitable.
The building, located at 1246 S. Hope Street, was vacant for over 15 years but had recently been purchased by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in 2022 for approximately $12 million. The foundation planned to convert it into affordable housing.
At the time of the fire, dozens of homeless individuals were squatting in the building. While several fled when the alarm was raised, firefighters rescued three people from the third floor using ladders. No injuries were reported.
The Morrison Hotel gained fame when it was featured on the cover of The Doors' fifth album. The legendary photo, taken by Henry Diltz, shows the band members peering through the hotel's window, with frontman Jim Morrison positioned near a sign advertising rooms for $2.50.
Diltz, upon learning of the fire damage, expressed his sadness to CBS News Los Angeles, saying "I hope somebody will rebuild it."
The building's owners had been struggling with ongoing issues of homeless individuals breaking in. "As soon as we secure the building, the homeless come up with power tools within hours and just cut the locks off," said Mark Dyer of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
Fire department investigators are currently examining whether squatters may have caused the blaze. The building, which previously served as low-income housing until 2008, had stood empty for nearly a decade after plans to convert it into a luxury hotel fell through.
The fire's impact has left the local community concerned about the building's future. The structure's integrity remains in doubt following the roof collapse, potentially affecting plans for its transformation into affordable housing.