Koreatown 'hoarder' house gradually clears out piles of debris

Kittinit Yassara/Getty Images
Photo credit Kittinit Yassara/Getty Images

Los Angeles city workers began hauling away massive piles of junk and debris outside a home in Koreatown on Thursday, clearing a view neighbors said hasn’t been seen in quite some time.

By Friday, much of the home’s street-facing facade was once again visible to neighbors. However, a heavy odor emanating from the makeshift landfill still lingered.

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Junk around the house, home to a 90-year-old woman and her adult son, once crested eight feet high in some spots. The years-worth of accumulated waste included furniture, appliances, and hundreds of cardboard boxes.

Neighbors reported rats and cockroaches infested the labyrinth of litter, attracted to the rubbish. They told ABC7 they’d been complaining to the city about it for years.

"It bothers me too much, especially for my health," said neighbor Leticia Ruiz. "I'm not young anymore. In fact, I asked my son to buy me an air purifier. I close my windows."

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Kittimit Yassara/Getty Images