Fire Damages Leo Politi house

Fire Damages Leo Politi house
Originally uploaded by Historic Echo Park.

Just before 3:00 PM Thursday, May 4 a fire broke out in the former home of the award winning and highly respected artist and illustrator Leo Politi on W. Kensington Road near Douglas in Angeleno Heights. The extent of the damage to the interior of the residence is unclear at this time, but the roof was severely damaged. Flames could be seen shooting up into the air. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded with several companies and at least a dozen fire trucks. They did a superb and quick job of putting the fire out. The front of the house appeared not to be harmed, but the house is not easily seen from the street. Many residents of the neighborhood showed up to watch the activities and some were visibly shaken.

Leo Politi was a long time resident of Los Angeles. He was particularly famous for his illustrations of dozens of children's books, but he also painted portraits on Olvera Street beginning in the 1930's. He lived on Bunker Hill until it was destroyed in the urban renewal frenzy of the 1960's. His paintings of the Victorian houses of Bunker Hill are among his finest. He then moved to Angeleno Heights until his death in the 1990's. He, and his wife Helen, were well loved members of this historic neighborhood

This information was provided by Bruce Lash.



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