Neighbors say Rothschild family member dies after Hollywood Hills home fire

HOLLYWOOD HILLS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A man identified by neighbors as a member of the wealthy Rothschild family died Wednesday after a fire broke out at a two-story hillside home in the Hollywood Hills.

Crews responded to the 8500 block of Lookout Mountain Avenue around 4:40 p.m. A total of 45 firefighters extinguished the blaze in approximately 33 minutes, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Fire crews found the body of a person in the house. Authorities did not release the man’s name, but neighbors identified him as Will Rothschild of the powerful banking family.

The cause of death will be determined by the LA County Coroner. While it is not yet clear what started the fire, the investigation into the incident continues.

No other injuries were reported.

Rothschild was described by neighbors as an eccentric millionaire, even a billionaire, who owned multiple properties and dozens of expensive cars.

On a street lined with multimillion-dollar homes and mansions, where the famous and powerful lived, Rothschild was said to have lived as a bit of a recluse.

While some neighbors had never seen him and thought the house was empty, those who knew him were saddened by this loss.

“It’s very sad,” neighbor Jim Moore said. “He was a good man. He was a good neighbor.”