State investigators have revealed that fire and safety hazards were repeatedly identified at a leased storage space under an elevated Los Angeles freeway before it was engulfed in an arson fire last weekend. The blaze, fueled by flammable materials stored under the roadway in violation of the company's lease, forced the closure of a section of Interstate 10 near downtown Los Angeles for several days. Repair crews have been working tirelessly to fix the damage, and officials expect all lanes to reopen by Tuesday.

The California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, released documents on Friday that detailed the violations found at the storage space. These violations included the storage of prohibited items such as pallets, cars, construction materials, and hand sanitizer. The storage program that allowed these items to be stored under the freeway is now facing scrutiny, with Governor Gavin Newsom announcing that the state will reassess the practice of leasing land under roads for mass transportation projects.

Apex Development Inc., the company that has leased the land under I-10 since 2008, is at the center of the controversy. Despite a contractual agreement prohibiting the storage of flammable or hazardous materials, state inspectors who visited the site six times since early 2020 flagged problematic conditions. In a 2022 report, one inspector described the lease as “filthy” and "unmaintained," noting the presence of solvents, oils, fuels, and other prohibited items.

The owners of two companies that subleased the property also expressed concerns about fire dangers and other hazards related to homeless people living under the freeway. Newsom stated that Apex did not receive permission from state and federal regulators for subleasing, and in September, the state filed a lawsuit against Apex for unpaid rent.

The most recent spot inspection conducted by Caltrans before the fire found "numerous lease violations," although specific details were not provided. Caltrans had previously informed Apex Development of the need to address these violations, especially those that posed safety hazards.

Apex Development, through their attorney Mainak D'Attaray, denied blame for the fire and claimed to have made improvements to the property. D'Attaray also stated that Caltrans was aware of the sublessees and their operations through periodic inspections. However, a spokesperson for the governor disagreed with this statement, asserting that Apex is responsible for maintaining the fenced-off area where the fire was likely started.

In addition to the investigation into the arson fire, authorities are seeking the public's help in identifying a "person of interest" captured in two photos released by Cal Fire and the State Fire Marshal. The individual, described as a man between 30 and 35 years old, was seen wearing blue shorts, a black hooded sweatshirt, a green scarf, and a knee brace. He appeared to have visible burn injuries on his left leg.

The fire, which burned approximately 8 acres, did not result in any injuries. However, it did displace at least 16 homeless people living in the encampment under the freeway. With an estimated 300,000 vehicles using this stretch of freeway daily, the closure caused significant traffic disruptions in the heart of Los Angeles.

Efforts to repair the damaged interstate are expected to take between three and five weeks. Governor Newsom has ordered a comprehensive review of all leased sites under freeways across California, and there are calls for greater transparency regarding the leasing program, including information on the number of sites leased, contract terms, and generated revenue.

As investigations continue, business owners who subleased from Apex have expressed their frustration and loss. Some had previously reported fire incidents caused by homeless encampments and had requested cleanups of the area. The inability to access insurance coverage due to safety concerns and the loss of valuable assets have put their livelihoods at risk.

The danger of storing flammable materials under elevated interstates has drawn attention from federal investigators in the past. Following a 2017 fire in Atlanta that caused a section of Interstate 85 to collapse, the National Transportation Safety Board criticized the Georgia Department of Transportation for storing construction materials beneath the bridge without evaluating the fire risk.

As the investigation into the arson fire continues, officials urge anyone with information about the incident or the person of interest to contact a tip hotline. The responsibility for the fire and the subsequent damage to the interstate remains a subject of dispute, with legal proceedings and a comprehensive review of leasing practices expected in the coming months.