A Fresno family is facing homelessness after a fire destroyed their mobile home on July 4th. Victor Solorzano lived there with his wife, two young children, and father-in-law, but now they have lost everything.
In interviews with a local news outlet, Solorzano recounted how the fire drove them out before it fully engulfed their home. He suspects that squatters in the area might be to blame for the blaze.
The issue of squatting
When asked about the fire’s origin, Solorzano expressed his belief that a group of homeless people camping in the park may have sparked it. He even found belongings from these squatters right next to his home. Fresno firefighters mentioned that while the fire began near a pile of items, they couldn’t pinpoint the exact cause.
“There’s always a squatter. Property managers try to manage it, but they always seem to return,” Solorzano remarked.
Dealing with squatters in California can be incredibly complex. A law passed in 2024, thanks to State Sen. Bob Archuleta, allows property owners to file a “trespass” notice with local police, granting them the power to remove squatters. Still, this doesn’t guarantee that they won’t return.
Moreover, squatters in California have some legal protections, making immediate removal challenging. Owners must first issue an eviction or termination notice as outlined in California Civil Code Section 1007. If a squatter occupies the property and refuses to leave, they can invoke squatter’s rights. This could even lead to legal ownership for specific periods.
Rebuilding without insurance
Solorzano now faces the daunting task of finding temporary housing and replacing essential items. He had no tenant’s insurance, which complicates matters further. “Now, our most urgent need is to find temporary housing and replace basic clothing and essentials,” he mentioned in a message to friends.
In California, it’s common for mobile homeowners to rent the land their home sits on, which was also the case for Solorzano.
Though park insurance generally covers communal areas, it often doesn’t protect personal property. According to Blue Kbremer, a property law attorney, having personal insurance could have helped Solorzano potentially recover from the loss. “Most homeowner insurance policies cover losses from fires, assuming it’s not due to the homeowner’s actions,” Bremer noted. Even if the fire was caused by a squatter, the homeowner might typically file a claim.
However, if the mobile park owner failed to address ongoing issues with squatters, they could face negligence claims. Bremer emphasizes that landowners must take reasonable actions to secure their property to avoid foreseeable harm.
Additionally, if the park owner alerted city authorities about the squatters and no action was taken, it might open paths for government claims, although proving these claims can be difficult.
