KB Homes Announces Fire Sale

Work has resumed on the problem plagued Ascent at Warner Center project at 21301 West Erwin Street. This is the location of a construction fire that caused major damage to two floors. Representatives from White Residential and KB Homes refused comment on Friday when asked if corners were cut in an effort to speed up construction. Industry experts have speculated that the structure might be condemned due to shoddy workmanship. When asked about the status of the project, management referred all comments to their legal staff. A sign remains on the gate that reads “Limited Entry; Off limits to unauthorized personnel by order of the Dept of Building and Safety, City of Los Angeles. Warning: this structure or site has been damaged and may be dangerous to occupy. Further damage may occur at any time. Enter at your own risk. This facility was inspected under emergency conditions on 03-24-08, 10:30am”. No Helix Electric employees were seen on Friday. Two men believed to be from Withee Malcolm Architects were on site briefly. A banner on the building directs the public to the KB Homes/Ascent Sales Gallery at 21101 Oxnard Street just far enough away to mask the smell of burnt lumber.

Ascent Warner Center Up In Smoke

It never ceases to amaze me how some developers will cut corners on construction by hiring non-union subcontractors then act surprised when things don’t work out. Today I turned on the radio to hear the news of a fire at a project I’m only too familiar with; The Ascent in Warner Center. I’ve referred to this project as the “Ass-Scent” in the past. I’ve visited this job site many times and I’ve always been amazed that inspectors haven’t shut it down. In my opinion the quality of construction is terrible.

I’ve worked in the industry for 20 years. My first union electrical construction project was the Trillium just 2 building to the North. For 20 years I’ve driven by those towers and thought what a great job we did. I’m proud of those towers. It’s a good thing too because this is my neighborhood. I’ve lived here all my life. We don’t need KB Homes building some cheap ass second rate piece of crap in the San Fernando Valley. Shame on them!

There was a concern at one point that the fire might spread to another recently completed project to the North. That didn’t happen. Thank God all the workers at the Ascent were able to escape! Had the Santa Ana winds been fanning the flames, this poorly constructed (in my opinion) residential tinderbox could have turned out to be a catastrophe.

Afterwards workers hanging out across the street were warned not to speculate about the cause of the fire, but the word was already out….. According to 2 electricians on the scene, sparks were seen falling in a bathroom shortly before the evacuation. Where were the fire extinguishers??? Were they even used? Were they charged? Was someone cutting a corner? Will someone please ask these questions in the coming days?

Dozens of fire trucks lined Irwin Street and smoke continued to bellow from the center of the mostly wood residential project. A fast walking WRI employee said he had never been on a project that caught fire in the past. I pressed him for more information but was told that arson investigators are on the scene and that he had no more comments.

There were early reports in the news that the building is a total loss. I think this is a little premature. The fire fighters seem to think it was contained to the 4th floor. What I can tell you is that anyone that purchases one of these condominiums should have their head examined. Why would anyone want to take the risk? And why would any insurance company want to touch it? If the Building and Safety Department doesn’t take a closer look at other residential projects more problems like these could arise or should I say “Ascend”.