Authorities on Thursday were investigating a residential fire in the Hollywood Hills that left a man dead, with neighbors telling reporters that the victim is believed to be eccentric millionaire Will Rothschild of the famous banking family.
Fire crews responded to 8551 Lookout Mountain Avenue, east of Crescent Drive , at 4:33 p.m. Wednesday after they received a call reporting a fire at the two-story hillside residence. They were able to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby vegetation or other structures, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.
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During a search of the home after the fire was extinguished, firefighters found the body of a man, Humphrey said.
It took 45 firefighters 33 minutes to extinguish the flames.
Coroner's officials had not identified the victim as of Thursday morning, but neighbors told ABC7 that he was Rothschild, who was described as a bit reclusive and eccentric.
The house was also said to be a potential fire hazard, with possible hoarding conditions.
"Given the fire damage, it's kind of hard to determine how much of that was prior to the fire and how much of it is the building itself that has been demolished by the fire," Battalion Chief Adam Knabe of the LAFD told the station.
The Mayor's Crisis Response Team was summoned to provide emotional support and assistance to the decedent's family and neighbors, fire authorities said.
The cause of the fire was under an active and joint investigation by the fire department and the Los Angeles Police Department.
"It is very sad," nearby resident Jim Moore told ABC7. "He was a good guy. A good neighbor."
The Rothschild family dates to 15th century Frankfurt, Germany. Its banking operations later expanded to Paris, London, Vienna and Naples as the family's wealth grew. By the 19th century some reports called it the largest private fortune in the world.
Rothschild family members have been given noble titles from both the English monarchy the Austrian Empire.
Thursday, the family's holdings are diversified to include real estate, financial services, mining, energy, agriculture and wine, among other interests. They're also noted art collectors and philanthropists.
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