Mobile Home Residents File Fire Claim Against Laguna

A group of mobile home park residents who lost homes in the October firestorm have filed the first fire-related claim against the city of Laguna Beach.

The 21 El Morro Mobile Home Park residents are seeking more than $880,000 from the city.

The fire victims’ grievances against Laguna Beach include claims that the city failed to provide a sufficient water supply or an adequate fire suppression plan. The claim also maintains that city property in the area was not properly inspected or maintained.

Councilwoman Kathleen Blackburn expressed frustration Thursday upon learning of the claim.

“I guess people are looking for anything to get compensation,” she said. “It just infuriates me.”

Nick Hornberger--an attorney with the Los Angeles law firm Hornberger & Criswell, which is representing the mobile home park residents--said claims have also been filed against the county and the state.

The mobile home park is on state-owned land north of Laguna Beach alongside Coast Highway.

Hornberger said there are no fire hydrants at the mobile home park, which lost 40 of its 297 coaches in the Oct. 27 blaze. A total of 400 homes were destroyed or damaged in and around Laguna Beach.

“The bottom line is, these people were left on their own to try and put out a fire with a garden hose and they couldn’t do it,” Hornberger said. “Here’s a trailer park that’s been there many, many years--it’s just right outside Laguna Beach, and their fire suppression facilities are just embarrassing.”

A lawsuit will follow if the claim is denied by the City Council on Tuesday as recommended by City Atty. Philip Kohn, one claimant said Thursday.

Kohn, however, said state law “generally protects” local agencies and their employees from liability when property is lost in a fire.

“Traditionally, these types of claims don’t get too far in the courts,” he said.

The claimants are asking for $50,000 for the loss of each coach and $30,000 each for lost personal property, Kohn said. He said that 11 coaches were involved in the claim.