Owners Remain Displaced After Fire In California HOA

Homeowners remain displaced a year after a fire in a California HOA left 20 homes devastated. While the building process is in swing, a mass-action lawsuit is also underway.

Homeowners Left Homeless

A year ago, a fire swept through the Coronado Pointe community, leaving 20 homes destroyed in its wake. Residents of those homes remain displaced today. The fire also damaged 11 other homes in the Laguna Niguel-based community.

One of the displaced homeowners is Ramin Yazdi, who is also the president of the homeowners association. His property remains a vacant lot.

“I was sort of in retirement mode and was planning on retiring here and not moving anywhere else, and the last thing I wanted to do is become a home builder,” Yazdi told local news.

According to Yazdi, about a dozen of the displaced homeowners are in the process of rebuilding their homes. At least two owners already have building permits. One sold his property.

Fire in California HOA Under Investigation

Even though it’s been a year, the Orange County Fire Authority, the Laguna Beach Department, and CAL FIRE are still investigating the cause of the fire. However, that has not stopped about 200 plaintiffs from filing a mass-action lawsuit aimed at Southern California Edison.

“The lawsuit alleges that the failure of Southern California Edison to maintain its lines and to implement vegetation mitigation measures properly led to the disaster,” Richard Bridgford, the attorney representing the displaced homeowners, said.

The ocean breeze played a huge role in spreading the fire rapidly. While residents tried their best to keep a defensible space, the fire still devoured their homes. This is mainly due to the age of the homes and how they were not up to the current code.

According to Yazdi, they are seeking compensation for their loss. In addition, they want Southern California Edison to change the power lines that stand at the bottom of the canyon.

“We want to make sure that these wires get buried because even if we are whole — even if get everything back, even if we get over the fact that we don’t have any of our memories and all those other things — and we build another home, we’re still going to have to live with that potential fire again if that thing is still dangling out there,” he said.