An elaborate construction with cardboard rollers, wooden boards and a tarp: It’s how a makeshift home is built as part of a homeless encampment in downtown Los Angeles.
Video first shared by Instagram user WhiteWallStunts showed what it looks like inside with a bed, large TV, fan, radio as well as some lighting devices.
Those who live or work near the encampment said as the crowd is getting bigger, there are more concerns for fires with an auto shop, rim repair store and recycling center being nearby.
“Plastic is very highly flammable, and it could cause a very strong flame,” said Dan Muhoro, who works in the area.
Steps away from the extravagant encampment under the 10 Freeway, there were also stacks of inflammable materials like cardboard boxes, dozens of palates and storage containers.
“If a fire were to start here, what would happen? Same thing that happened last time,” Muhoro added.
The growing homeless encampment is located less than 2 miles away from the scene of the 10 Freeway Fire from 2023. Authorities said someone intentionally started the fire, shutting down the freeway for more than a week and forcing nearly 300,000 commuters and drivers to find painful detours.
Others also expressed public safety concerns, not knowing what to expect and unable to use the sidewalk.
“With all the homeless people, what are they going to do to you? How are they going to act against you?” Elvia Linton said while discussing her concerns.
When asked about the encampment, LA Mayor Karen Bass’ office told NBC Los Angeles that the city will continue to urgently bring people off the street.
“Homelessness has decreased two years in a row for the first time in the city’s history,” the mayor’s office said, without mentioning any possible plans for the homeless encampment.
NBCLA also reached out to Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, whose district includes the downtown LA neighborhood where the makeshift home and encampment are located, but did not get a response.