A home on 1090 Woodlawn Avenue in Chula Vista that was destroyed by fire on Feb. 2, 2026 remains red-tagged and intermittently occupied, neighbors told ABC 10News. The ongoing activity at the property has left nearby residents feeling unsafe and frustrated months after the blaze.
Neighbor displaced, repairs not finished
The fire also damaged the home next door, belonging to longtime resident Linda Sanchez, who said she and her family were forced to move out for several months while insurance repairs were processed. Sanchez said the repairs, described as costing thousands of dollars, are still not complete.
“Sometimes, I just sit down in the chair just crying, and I [say] what is going to happen to next door because I cannot open my sliding door … I don’t want to look at all that,”
Sanchez, who has lived in the neighborhood for roughly 50 years, said the house at 1090 Woodlawn belongs to a couple she once knew and that activity at the red-tagged property has been “constant.” Despite official signs declaring the structure unsafe, she and other neighbors reported seeing people entering and exiting the building and staying in the backyard.
What investigators found and what remains unclear
Public records cited by ABC 10News indicate the fire investigation report documented 12 people at the property around the time of the fire: seven people inside the home, two on a patio and three in tents in the backyard. One person was reported hurt in the blaze, and at least three pets were killed. Fire investigators did not determine a cause for the fire, according to the report.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 1090 Woodlawn Avenue |
| Incident date | Feb. 2, 2026 |
| Occupants reported at time of fire | 12 total (7 inside, 2 patio, 3 tents) |
| Injuries and fatalities | 1 person hurt; at least 3 pets killed |
| Current status | Red-tagged as unsafe; people still entering |
Safety and neighborhood concerns
Neighbors described the red-tagged sign as clear but said it has done little to deter people from using the property. ABC 10News reported seeing individuals inside the garage and at least one person staying in the backyard who declined to identify himself. Two other individuals were observed going in and out of the front of the house.
Red-tagging is the designation used to mark buildings that are deemed unsafe to occupy following fires, floods or other structural damage. Residents expressed concerns about hazards associated with continued unauthorized entry, including structural instability, potential for additional fires and general public-safety risks. The property’s continued use has also prolonged the displacement and inconvenience experienced by adjacent homeowners undergoing repairs.
- Neighbors say repairs on the adjacent damaged home remain incomplete months after the blaze.
- Public records show a large number of people were present when the fire occurred.
- Fire investigators did not determine a cause for the Feb. 2 blaze.
City code enforcement and the Chula Vista Fire Department typically oversee safety measures and enforcement related to red-tagged structures, but the reporting did not include details on any recent inspections or enforcement actions at the Woodlawn Avenue property. Neighbors said they want clearer city action to prevent people from re-entering the unsafe building and to speed repairs to adjacent homes affected by the blaze.
For neighbors like Sanchez, the main concern is daily quality of life: limited use of outdoor spaces, worry about further incidents and the emotional strain of seeing the damaged property remain a fixture on the block. The scene on Woodlawn Avenue highlights broader challenges communities face after destructive residential fires—balancing property recovery, enforcement of safety orders and support for displaced residents.
WE NEWS reached out to city officials for comment and will update this report when officials respond.
