As reported by the Los Angeles Times, for over ten years, Rudy Serafin, a 49-year-old immigrant from Michoacán, Mexico, operated his business in a unique location – beneath the 10 Freeway in Los Angeles. Alongside fellow entrepreneurs, he carved out a living space amidst the concrete pillars of the interstate. These small business owners, including mechanics, truckers, and suppliers, rented their spots from a Calabasas businessman, Ahmad Anthony Nowaid, who in turn leased the land from Caltrans. However, court records reveal that Nowaid sublet the land illegally at inflated rates.

Tragedy struck on a fateful Saturday, November 11th, when a fire, fueled by pallets, ravaged the area, causing extensive damage to the freeway and the businesses underneath. The fire, reportedly caused by arson, was seen as an inevitable disaster by many who worked there, given the lack of fire safety measures like alarms or sprinklers. Serafin, who sold garment industry supplies, lost his entire inventory in the blaze, including a significant amount of hand sanitizer.

The landlord, Nowaid's company Apex, had been delinquent in paying rent to Caltrans for over a year, accumulating a debt of $78,000. Caltrans had initiated legal action for back rent in September. Nowaid's companies were also facing eviction from several other government-owned properties for similar reasons, totaling about $620,000 in unpaid rent.

Caltrans accused Nowaid of violating lease agreements by subletting the properties for uses not permitted, such as storing flammable materials and inoperable vehicles. The chaotic conditions of the rented spaces, with no clear entrance and surrounded by unhoused individuals, created a risky environment. Despite these hazards, most businesses operated without insurance, leading to total losses in the fire.

The relationship between Nowaid and his tenants had deteriorated over time. After a Caltrans employee advised tenants to stop paying rent to Apex, Nowaid responded by suing Caltrans. He claimed that evicting his firm would result in "unjust enrichment" for Caltrans, given the improvements made to the property. Despite this, tenants ceased payments, leading to confrontations and threats from Nowaid.

The fire, occurring shortly after tenants stopped paying rent, has raised many questions and prompted investigations. Nowaid, through his attorney, denied any involvement with the fire, stating they were conducting their own investigation into its origins.

This incident sheds light on the precarious lives of small business owners operating in unconventional spaces, highlighting the challenges they face and the vulnerabilities of working in such environments.