Glendale, CA – A fierce 2-alarm fire erupted at an abandoned multi-family residence at 1642 S Central Ave in Glendale, California, on May 1, 2025, at 5:29 p.m., prompting a swift response from the Glendale Fire Department and raising alarm among nearby residents. The blaze, which consumed the vacant 1915-built structure and sent heavy smoke billowing into the sky, required multiple fire units and support from neighboring departments to contain. While no injuries were reported, the fire’s cause remains under investigation, with arson investigators on the scene.
The Fire’s Outbreak
At 5:29 p.m. on May 1, 2025, Glendale Fire Department (GFD) crews were dispatched to 1642 S Central Ave following reports of a structure fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found the abandoned multi-family home, a historic property constructed in 1915, fully engulfed in flames. The 2-alarm designation signaled the fire’s intensity, necessitating additional resources. Thick black smoke, visible from miles away, blanketed the area, drawing onlookers and complicating efforts. GFD, bolstered by mutual aid from nearby fire departments, deployed multiple hose lines and ladder trucks to combat the blaze, successfully preventing it from spreading to adjacent structures.
The fire’s ferocity, fueled by the building’s aged wood and accumulated debris, required a defensive approach, with crews focusing on containment. After approximately an hour of intense firefighting, the blaze was brought under control, though hot spots persisted into the evening. The structure, already vacant and in disrepair, was left severely damaged, likely facing demolition. No injuries were reported, a relief given the property’s unoccupied status, but the incident underscored the risks posed by neglected buildings.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by GFD’s arson unit, with early speculation focusing on potential arson or accidental ignition, possibly linked to transient activity. Investigators are examining the scene for evidence, including signs of forced entry or incendiary devices, and reviewing nearby security footage. The property’s history as a vacant site, common in urban areas like Glendale, has drawn scrutiny, with residents questioning why it wasn’t secured or repurposed.
The fire disrupted traffic along South Central Avenue, a busy thoroughfare near Glendale’s downtown, as fire trucks and police blocked roads for safety. Nearby residents, already wary after regional wildfires like the 2025 Palisades Fire you referenced, expressed frustration on X about the safety hazards of abandoned properties. Posts highlighted fears of similar incidents, with one user noting, “Another vacant house fire? Glendale needs to crack down!” The blaze’s proximity to commercial and residential areas amplified concerns, echoing Hollywood’s struggle with the repeatedly torched Wilton Place home.
Glendale, a city of about 195,000 in Los Angeles County, has faced occasional structure fires, but the 1642 S Central Ave incident stands out due to its intensity and the property’s abandoned status. Like Hollywood, Glendale grapples with urban decay in pockets, where neglected buildings attract squatters or vandals, posing fire risks.
The GFD’s response was bolstered by mutual aid, a testament to regional cooperation seen in major incidents like the Palisades Fire. However, the incident has sparked calls for proactive measures, such as stricter code enforcement or demolition of hazardous vacant structures. Glendale’s Community Development Department, responsible for property oversight, faces pressure to address similar sites, with X users citing Los Angeles’ slow response to Hollywood’s Wilton Place as a cautionary tale.
