REIT Comments on Apartment Unit Fire at Barrington Plaza

Douglas Emmett

announced that there was a fire in a single unit at its Barrington Plaza apartment building on October 18, 2013.  The Los Angeles Fire Department was able to quickly contain the fire to a single unit and the corridor on the 11th floor, although some nearby units incurred smoke and water damage.  Unfortunately, several tenants suffered from smoke inhalation.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.  The building had been inspected earlier this year by the Fire Department, which confirmed that the building was in compliance with applicable law and that the fire systems and alarms were functioning correctly.  Most tenants were able to return to their units, and the Company expects that most of the remaining units will be habitable within the next few days.  Douglas Emmett has been working with tenants to minimize the disruption in the meantime.