One man was rescued as 70 firefighters knocked down the blaze in a little over an hour.
LOS ANGELES, CA — A pre-dawn fire ripped through the historic Hollywood Center Motel along Sunset Boulevard early Sunday, destroying its two-story Craftsman house and damaging nearby bungalows, authorities said. Fire crews rescued one person and contained the flames after more than an hour of work at the long-shuttered site.
The motel, a Hollywood relic tied to rock lore and screen history, burned as city officials weigh whether to grant it landmark protection. Los Angeles Fire Department records show the blaze was reported about 4:30 a.m., with knockdown declared at 5:42 a.m. Investigators from the department’s arson unit are examining the cause. The fire comes weeks after the Cultural Heritage Commission voted to consider the century-old complex for historic status, heightening concerns among preservation advocates about the future of what remains.
Crews responded to the 6700 block of Sunset Boulevard to find heavy fire engulfing the boarded-up main house at the center of the Hollywood Center Motel, once nicknamed “El Nido.” The two-story structure, dating to 1905, burned on both floors as firefighters shifted to a defensive strategy while laddering the roof to remove a trapped occupant. The person, a 42-year-old man, was rescued and transported to a hospital in stable condition, according to officials at the scene. “The cause remains under investigation, and our arson investigators are collecting evidence,” Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Margaret Stewart said. No firefighter injuries were reported.
About 70 firefighters attacked the blaze, which extended to at least two adjacent bungalows inside the complex. The knockdown took approximately 1 hour, 12 minutes, aided by engine and truck companies from Station 27 and neighboring houses. By daybreak, command staff ordered demolition of the main house’s most unstable portions for safety, while tape and fencing kept bystanders back along Sunset Boulevard. Officials listed the property’s address range as 6700–6720 Sunset, noting the site was fenced and posted against entry but known to draw trespassers. Investigators have not determined whether illegal entry played a role. The extent of structural damage to the surviving bungalows and the pool area was still being assessed Sunday.
City records and interviews show the motel holds an outsize place in Hollywood’s built history. Neil Young and Crazy Horse stayed there during sessions and tours, and the property appeared in film and television, including “L.A. Confidential” and “The Rockford Files.” The Craftsman core predated Hollywood’s annexation to Los Angeles and had weathered earthquakes, storms, and decades of reinvention as Sunset Boulevard changed around it. In recent years, the complex was closed to guests and sat behind construction fencing, with reports of prior small fires in the last few months. Preservation advocate Kim Cooper said the loss of the main house is painful but emphasized that bungalows, signage and other distinctive features could still anchor a restoration if owners and the city move quickly.
The motel’s path now runs through two tracks: public safety and preservation law. On the safety side, Building and Safety inspectors will determine whether additional demolition is required and what must be shored up before investigators and engineers can enter. On the preservation side, the Cultural Heritage Commission’s consideration process continues, which could lead to a formal landmark nomination, public hearings, and protective controls over demolition and alterations. LAFD’s arson unit will review witness accounts, surveillance, fire patterns and debris samples; preliminary findings are typically forwarded to city and, if warranted, county prosecutors for review. Officials did not give a timeline for their report, but said updates would be released as facts are verified.
Neighbors described smoke visible up and down Sunset as dawn broke. Traffic was rerouted around the 6700 block while hose lines stretched across curb lanes. By midmorning, the motel’s vintage marquee and parts of several bungalows still stood behind the perimeter, charred but upright. “There is still much left to save,” Cooper said, calling on stakeholders to document surviving elements before weather and scavengers erode them. A bystander who’s lived nearby for years said the complex had been vacant and frequently targeted by trespassers despite security patrols. Crews continued to cool hot spots as inspectors began photographing the site for the case file.
As of Sunday night, the Los Angeles Fire Department listed the incident as under active investigation with one civilian hospitalized and no firefighter injuries. The next major milestone is the release of the arson unit’s preliminary determination and any scheduling notice from the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission. Officials said additional updates are expected in the coming days.
Author note: Last updated January 5, 2026.