Alley Fires, More Boardwalk Flames In Venice

VENICE, CA — A string of recent fires hitting recycling bins in alleys and along the boardwalk has Venice residents on edge.

Over the weekend, a fire charred the grass area along the boardwalk, leaving debris near Paloma Avenue and Ocean Front Walk, neighbor Alexander Poe told Patch.

It's close to where a homeless encampment fire spread to a vacant commercial building in January. More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze, but the 68-year-old building was destroyed.

Residents also reported a recycling bin on fire near Paloma Avenue and Speedway about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, along with another reported near Rose Avenue.

Ring security footage did not capture suspects in either incident, neighbors said.

It's unclear if the recent fires are connected.

The fires are listed as rubbish fires and were mostly put out before firefighters arrived, Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigators told Patch.

Several fires have spread from homeless encampments along the Venice boardwalk and at Penmar Golf Course in the last several weeks.

Arson investigators were examining several fires in January, including several boardwalk fires and another RV burned out near Penmar Golf Course, officials said.

Another early morning fire was set in an alley behind an apartment at 38 Rose Ave. in January and damaged the building near the boardwalk. Neighbors say an old Christmas tree was set on fire next to the apartment.

Firefighters also battled a second RV fire on Rose Avenue near the Penmar Golf Club on Jan. 21. Another RV fire was reported on Jan. 4 at about 1:30 a.m. near 1233 Rose Ave, Venice.

Anyone with information about the fires can contact Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigators call (213) 893-9800.

Charred remnants of another tent fire at OFW and Paloma. How many more fires @MikeBoninLA until you to stop neglecting the safety of the unhoused and housed of the Venice boardwalk? @mikebonin @NisaKove @MayorOfLA @CurrentVenice @VeniceIntel @PDRScanner @NicoleCharky pic.twitter.com/zk2DryxvLZ
— Alexander Poe (@alexanderpoe) March 1, 2021

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Editor's Note: This story was updated at 2:57 p.m. with additional information from arson investigators.