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A blaze broke out in the courtyard of the dilapidated YWCA building shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday.
No one was hurt in the fire, which city officials called a “heating fire.”
“There was a small outside fire in the courtyard of the old YWCA across from 235 Holly St.,” said Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian. “The fire occurred in a fenced-off area that was approximately 60 by 60. It was determined to be an unattended heating fire. The Fire Department had to make entry to make sure there was no extension into the building. The Police Department remained on scene to secure the property.”
Pictures taken by City Manager Steve Mermell in 2019 and acquired by Pasadena Now revealed trash, graffiti, and evidence of squatters inside the building.
In those photos, cans and other items appear to be strewn about. Mermell said then that squatters had set warming fires inside the building, which raised the risk of a building fire.
The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and sits across the street from City Hall.
The city acquired the building for $8.3 million 13 years ago via eminent domain.
Five developers have presented proposals for the property. Three of them have affordable housing elements. Mermell is scheduled to negotiate with the developers on Monday in a closed session meeting of the City Council.
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