Tenants Return to Fire-Damaged Apartments in Altadena, Seek Help with Toxic Cleanup

Tenants who have returned to live in fire-damaged apartments in Altadena said they are seeking urgent help from government officials and landlords to address toxic contamination and safety concerns in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire.

The Pasadena Community Job Center, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) and allied organizations will join the a tenants’ rights group called Comité de Inquilinos 403 on Thursday at 5 p.m. on Figueroa Drive to highlight the environmental hazards that the residents face.

“We were forced to return to our apartments, even though we knew they might be contaminated, because we have nowhere else to go,”said Brenda Lopez-Ardon, a tenant representative of the Comité de Inquilinos 403.

“We know we are putting our health at risk, but we don’t have the resources to do anything else. What’s most heartbreaking is that the company that owns the building is lying to us and offering no help. That’s why we decided to organize and fight for what’s right—because we love this place deeply. I grew up here, and now my daughter is growing up here, and we’re not going to let anyone take away what’s ours,” Lopez-Ardon said.

At a planned media event, residents will tell their stories of the difficult choices they have had to make – rebuilding their lives with invisible dangers all around.

Pablo Alvarado, Co-Executive Director of NDLON, said many private homeowners with good insurance are already decontaminating their properties, but renters and low-income homeowners in the fire zone — many of them immigrant workers and families — continue to struggle.

“The air, soil and water in the fire zone are poisoned by chemicals – a toxic soup, according to news reports,” Alvarado said. “But people have to work – now. They need a place to live – now. And so they are coming back.”

Alvarado emphasized that testing for contaminants, deep cleaning of apartments, and removal of poisoned soil, bedding, carpets and furniture are expensive and haven’t been done.

“The authorities need to make it a priority to remove toxic debris and clean public areas in places where people are already living. Landlords need to remediate their properties inside and out, as quickly as possible. While the work is being done, they must work to protect the families who have no place else to go,” Alvarado said.

He also called on landlords to restore gas and electricity and follow Los Angeles County ordinances for renter protection.

“Today we stand with the members of the Comité de Inquilinos 403 – whose homes need toxic remediation to live safely. But thousands of tenants and low-income homeowners in dozens or hundreds of buildings need help, too,” Alvarado added.