The fire was reported just after 7 p.m. in the 4500 block of Sylmar Avenue. Video obtained by Eyewitness News captured a man opening a door on the RV as the fire was raging.
Firefighters put out the blaze, but the RV was destroyed. According to residents, a man who had been living in the parked vehicle was cooking when the fire broke out. Residents told ABC7 unhoused individuals are living in the RVs that are lined up along Sylmar Avenue and other streets near Van Nuys Boulevard. Some say fires frequently break out in the area.
According to recent counts, there are thousands of homeless people living in RVs across L.A. County, mainly due to the high cost of housing. Plus, the numbers continue to rise."I've seen fights breaking out. I've seen people urinating in the middle of the road when I have my daughter in the car, which isn't good," said resident Rosie Rountree.