ECHO PARK : Aid to Family Shows Neighborhood Unity

Linda Mitchell lived on the 1400 block of Sutherland Street for 10 years before she learned her neighbors’ names.

Mitchell and other residents of the block finally got acquainted last year when they came together over a common concern--an increase in gang activity. Neighborhood crime prevention meetings led to increased communication and friendly relations among the residents, and a loose-knit neighborhood organization was formed.

Now, one family is especially grateful that the residents got acquainted. The newly united neighborhood rallied to the aid of the Iglesias family when the family’s apartment was gutted by a fire on Aug. 1.

Residents of Sutherland, Macbeth and Quintero streets have donated clothing, food and furniture and helped the family of nine find a new apartment in a nearby neighborhood.

The fire broke out just before 10 p.m. in the Iglesias’ one-bedroom apartment at 1414 Sutherland St. Pedro Iglesias, 42, said he had lived there for a year with his mother, wife, three children, brother and his brother’s wife and son.

“My daughters were bathing and I was asleep,” said Iglesias, a native of Mexico. “My wife was with them and suddenly we heard this loud noise. My brother went to see and he yelled ‘fire.’ I went to see how bad the fire was, and it was too big for me to put out, so we just got out.”

The fire was believed to be caused by gasoline fumes ignited by the apartment’s water heater, according to Los Angeles City Fire Department spokesman Jim Wells. A family member apparently was cleaning auto parts with gasoline somewhere near the heater, Wells said.

The American Red Cross helped the Iglesias family find temporary shelter at a nearby motel. But neighbors also mobilized, offering food and clothing and distributing flyers asking other residents to contribute. Local businesses provided food and grocery coupons.

Within a couple of days, about 10 grocery and trash bags full of clothing and household items were stacked in Mitchell’s garage, where the Iglesias’ few salvageable items were being stored.

Meanwhile, residents Teresa Machado and Nilcen Fernandez helped the family in their search for a new home. In less than a week, the family moved into an apartment on Delta Street, a short distance away.

“I helped the best I could translating, and I gave them transportation so they could move,” said Fernandez, 29, who has lived five years on Sutherland.

Iglesias, who works in the downtown garment district, said, “The neighbors have been good to me.”

Though individual residents have always been involved in the community, it has only been over the last year that the neighborhood as a whole has united, residents said. Residents held a successful block party that they hope to continue as a summer tradition, and have organized outings for the children. An informal steering committee also plans to hold seminars on fire and crime prevention, Mitchell said.