Fire in Fairfax District destroys 2 businesses

Annalisa Mastroianni-Johnson watched a fire destroy a jewelry store and the bakery next door as firefighters rushed to put out the flames Wednesday night.

Mastroianni-Johnson just recently moved her restaurant, Annie’s Soul Delicious, to the Fairfax District a month and a half ago. Luckily, the restaurant was spared by the fire – but they were left without power for two days, which will destroy thousands of dollars worth of food in the freezer.

“This is going to delay our opening, and the whole time, you know, we're losing money,” she told KNX News’ Nataly Tavidian. “My employees aren't employed. I don't get unemployment. You know, I'm a single mom. This is devastating for us.”

The L.A. City Fire Department hasn’t said how the fire started, but Mastroianni-Johnson said she reported a dumpster fire on Monday night, just a day before the buildings next door went up in flames.

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“The city council hasn't done anything,” she said. “I've reported this to the Department of Building and Safety, and even though they showed some action, they've never reached out to me.”

She said she hopes the blaze inspires the city to start paying attention.

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