'If they're homeless they do nothing,' Los Angeles business owner says after fire

A frustrated business owner says that the city of Los Angeles needs to do something to help with the homeless crisis after a fire erupted outside his gym in Eagle Rock.

Lako Boxing Club & Training Studio owner Yuichi Ohi arrived at his business on Eagle Rock Boulevard Sunday morning to find that a fire had been set just outside its doors.

After checking surveillance cameras, Ohi said he recognized a homeless woman who had been hanging around the neighborhood recently.

“She had actually moved a mattress onto the tire, loaded it up with some more materials and intentionally lit the fire and then took off,” Ohi said. 

The video recorded around 4:40 a.m. showed a person bending over a pile of objects as a flame starts to flicker. The person then walks down Eagle Rock Boulevard as the fire grows.

"You know we have residents behind us also, so it could have burned down not only the business but the businesses next door … It could have also affected the apartment buildings," Ohi said.

He said that luckily someone drove by and called 911 to report the fire but that he's been the victim of repeated vandalism due to the homeless crisis.

“You know if they’re middle class, have a job, make money then the police are at their door. They arrest them and they file charges but if they’re homeless they do nothing about it … and it’s really hard on the businesses to try and stay alive,” Ohi said.

Ohi also mentioned that police weren't going to pursue the case because there wasn't enough damage and he was referred to the fire department instead. He believes the city needs to do more to protect local business owners.