Tenants demand answers months after fire at Claremont building
The building at 1420 Clay Ave. has a full vacate order in place following a November 2025 fire that injured four people, including two firefighters. Fire marshals later determined the cause was due to electrical wiring.
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Tenants at a fire-damaged Claremont building say they are still dealing with dangerous and unclear conditions months after a massive fire. Now, local leaders are calling on the landlord to take action.
The building at 1420 Clay Ave. has a full vacate order in place following a November 2025 fire that injured four people, including two firefighters. Fire marshals later determined the cause was due to electrical wiring.
Despite that order, residents say people have continued going in and out of the building where there is still visible damage, including rubble on the ground and holes in the ceiling.
Some tenants say when they returned to their apartments, they found their belongings missing.
Local officials say the situation raises serious concerns.
Council Member Althea Stevens and Assembly Member Landon Dais say residents had already raised complaints about building conditions before the fire. Since then, they say there has been a lack of communication from the landlord, HHH Realty Co. LLC, about repairs, permits and a timeline for when the building will be safe.
“We’re working with city agencies right now to see if they can come out to inspect the situation, because this is unacceptable,” Stevens said. “This landlord and what he’s doing is really unacceptable.”
Stevens also says many tenants are struggling in the aftermath, including those who are sick or displaced and now living in shelters.
“We’re speaking to folks who are in the shelter, and they’re suffering, and they’re sick, and they need better living conditions,” she said.
Officials say they have reached out to multiple city agencies to inspect the building and determine whether violations exist.
“Residents deserve clear communication, accountability, and timely action,” the joint statement from both offices reads.
For now, tenants say they are still waiting for answers and are hoping to safely return home.
News 12 reached out to HHH Realty Co. LLC for comment and was unable to get in touch with anyone.
