Los Angeles, CA – A Larchmont family has been left homeless and heartbroken after a fire, allegedly sparked by squatters cooking methamphetamine in a neighboring property, destroyed their home on March 8. Juan Galicia, 55, and his wife Marta Umana, 65, lost not only their residence of many years but also three beloved dogs in the blaze, which the Los Angeles Fire Department’s arson unit is investigating. The couple, along with Umana’s niece Sonia Salinas, 53, have pointed fingers at Mayor Karen Bass and the Los Angeles Police Department, claiming repeated warnings about the squatters went unheeded.
The fire erupted in the early hours, rapidly spreading from the vacant house next door to the Galicia-Umana residence. According to family members, the squatters – a group of up to eight men and women in their 30s and 40s – had been occupying the empty property for about a year and a half. They reportedly engaged in illegal activities, including cooking meth, stealing water and electricity, and even acting as peeping toms, prompting the family to call 911 hundreds of times.
“We’d always call 911 and say this place is full of squatters and peeping toms. They were cooking meth inside the property,” Salinas told The California Post. She added that the family also reported the theft of utilities, but police responses were minimal. “They showed up maybe once,” she said, recounting how officers allegedly told them the squatters had no criminal records and thus could not be arrested.
Umana echoed the frustration, stating that the LAPD dismissed their concerns because the squatters were “just looking for a place to stay.” She went further, saying, “According to the cops, the squatters were doing drugs inside the property so they couldn’t be arrested.” The family felt their pleas fell on deaf ears, with Umana lamenting, “It felt like our efforts were hollow and that the homeless have more rights than we do.” The LAPD did not respond to requests for comment from reporters.
The inferno claimed the lives of three dogs: an 8-year-old poodle mix named Charlie, a 3-year-old Chihuahua mix named Firulais, and a 10-year-old Husky named Chase, who succumbed to injuries at a hospital. The couple managed to rescue their other three Huskies from the flames. “I don’t have anything anymore,” Umana said, her voice heavy with grief. She described her husband’s devastation, noting that Galicia, who works as both a pastor and a construction worker, watched “30 years of sacrifice and work” vanish in moments. “He’s destroyed,” she added. “He’s super sad and devastated. He’s in shock.”
Salinas, speaking on behalf of the family, directed sharp criticism at Mayor Bass, a Democrat who has made addressing homelessness a cornerstone of her administration since taking office in 2022. “Karen Bass failed us. She failed our family. She failed thousands of families in the same situation because this happens every day in LA,” Salinas said. She referenced incidents where homes, businesses, and cars have been damaged or destroyed by fires linked to homeless encampments or squatters. “We’ve seen several homes, businesses, people’s cars that end up being lit up by homeless people. It’s terrible.”
The niece recalled a visit Bass made several months ago to the church where Galicia serves as pastor. During that appearance, the mayor reportedly asked the community to help clean up local streets. “It was not our responsibility – it was her responsibility,” Salinas said. “It’s her duty to keep the city clean. Our church helped clean the city for her. And yet she doesn’t even give us a call back and respond to this matter. It’s really sad.”
In response to the family’s accusations, Bass’s office issued a statement emphasizing the mayor’s progress on homelessness. “We feel for this family, but it’s Mayor Bass who finally brought homelessness down in LA after years and years of increases before she took office,” the statement read. It highlighted ongoing efforts, adding, “We have a long way to go, and Mayor Bass will keep fighting against the special interests and politicians who want to hit the ‘pause’ button on reducing street homelessness.” The statement did not directly address the specifics of the Larchmont fire or the family’s complaints about police response.
The broader context of homelessness in Los Angeles underscores the challenges facing the city. According to recent reports, the homeless population in LA has hovered around 75,000, with initiatives under Bass aiming to house thousands through temporary shelters and permanent supportive units. Critics, however, argue that enforcement against illegal squatting and encampments remains inconsistent, particularly in residential neighborhoods like Larchmont, a historic area known for its tree-lined streets and family homes. The fire department’s investigation into the blaze as potential arson adds another layer, as authorities probe whether the meth cooking directly ignited the flames or if negligence played a role.
Family members described the squatters’ activities in detail, noting how the group had turned the neighboring house into a makeshift camp. Reports of peeping incidents heightened the family’s sense of vulnerability, with Galicia and Umana living in constant fear. Despite their persistent calls to authorities, the situation escalated unchecked until the tragic night of March 8. Salinas emphasized the human cost, saying the family had tried everything to protect their home and pets.
In the aftermath, the charred remains of the Galicia-Umana home have attracted further unwanted attention. “Since the fire, the homeless have shown up to the charred house to scavenge through the debris,” Salinas reported. “Juan keeps chasing them away.” This ongoing intrusion compounds the family’s trauma as they navigate displacement, staying temporarily with relatives while assessing their losses.
To rebuild, the family launched a GoFundMe campaign shortly after the fire. The fundraiser’s description captures the irony of the moment: “While pastor Juan was preaching a sermon of hope on Sunday, a devastating fire burned his house completely and 3 of the family dogs died.” Donations have begun to trickle in, aimed at covering immediate needs like temporary housing and replacing essentials lost in the blaze. As of now, the campaign seeks to recoup some of the financial devastation from what Umana called the loss of “everything.”
The incident highlights tensions in Los Angeles over how to balance compassion for the unhoused with public safety. While Bass’s administration touts a 10% reduction in street homelessness since 2022 – crediting expanded outreach and housing programs – residents in affected neighborhoods often feel the policies fall short on enforcement. The Larchmont fire is not isolated; similar blazes linked to encampments have occurred across the city, from Venice to Skid Row, prompting debates in the City Council about stricter measures against squatting.
Galicia, still reeling, continues his pastoral duties, offering sermons on resilience amid personal ruin. Umana, meanwhile, grapples with the void left by their pets and possessions. As the arson investigation unfolds, the family hopes for accountability from city officials. Whether this tragedy spurs policy changes remains to be seen, but for now, it serves as a stark reminder of the intersecting crises of housing affordability, addiction, and urban decay in one of America’s largest cities.
City leaders have not indicated immediate plans to reach out to the family, though Bass’s office reiterated sympathy in its statement. With spring underway, Los Angeles faces another season of heightened fire risks, exacerbated by dry conditions and vulnerable populations. The Galicia-Umana story, born from loss, may yet influence how the city addresses these persistent issues.